#this is why i usually scan things...

[elle-p]

Dengeki Playstation Vol.359 Persona 3 parts pictures and transcription.

影時間を巡る少年たちの群像劇

前作までの世界観を踏襲しつつも、まったく新しい物語が展開するシリーズ最新作。プレイヤーは、ペルソナという力を使える主人公となって、1日と1日の狭間にある “影時間” で、そこに巣食うシャドウと戦うことになる。学校や街の人との関係がペルソナに影響を与える「コミュ」や、爽快感バツグンの戦闘など、個性的かつ魅力的なシステムが満載。

GOOD メインストーリーはもちろん、「コミュ」や会話など、それぞれのシナリオが練り込まれていて楽しい。「コミュ」を育てることでペルソナも育つので、レベル上げの作業を必要とせず、サクサク進めることができる。弱点を突いた敵に追撃できるなど、爽快感だけでなく戦略性も高い戦闘システムは秀逸。

BAD 似たようなダンジョンが続くため、新鮮味は薄い。戦闘時の仲間の思考に不満を感じることも。

現代が舞台の人気RPG。合体を奥深くする「コミュニティ」をはじめ、弱点を突くことで戦闘が有利になる「プレス攻撃」を搭載。

コミックのように効果音が文字として出たり、ポリゴンキャラが細かいしぐさを見せてくれたりと、フィールド上での演出が凝ってマス。さらに、重要なシーンでは各キャラのカットインも入って、世界観&ストーリーにぐいぐい引き込まれましたよ。戦闘はオート攻撃やチャンス時にたたみかける「総攻撃」のコマンドもあって、テンポよく進められて◎。戦闘フィールドの探索も、仲間が勝手にアイテムなどを探し回ってくれる「散開」などの指示が出せて、サクサク進められたダス。難易度も最初に選べるし、これまでシリーズ作品をプレイしたことがない人もスンナリ楽しめるのでは？

90

学園生活とダンジョン探索をいっぺんに楽しめる作品です。昼間は人間関係を築き、夜はひたすら冒険。一見昼夜の出来事は切り離されているようですが、昼間の行動がペルソナの強さに影響するなど、ちゃんと連動しているのがポイントだったりします。ダンジョンでは、どんどん探索するのも途中でひくのも自由。敵の弱点をつきながら効率よく戦うと、ごほうびとしてペルソナやアイテムがもらえるので、いわゆるザコ戦でもついつい真剣に。まったり遊びたいときにも、アニメーションのスキップつきの通常攻撃が便利。お気楽プレイが可能なイージーモードもオススメですよ。

90

「ペルソナ」「学園」というキーワードは残しつつも、完全に一新された世界観が新鮮です。昼間の学生生活で楽しめる「コミュ」の話がメインストーリー以上に気になったり、弱点を突き続けることでどんどん有利になる夜の戦闘が楽しかったりと、新しいシステムが作品全体をとおしてかみあってるのは見事。のんびりとした「学生」部分に、なんだかノスタルジーを感じずにはいられません。中盤あたりからダンジョン探索が単調に感じられたり、お約束の1発死でヘコんだりしますけど、そんな細かいことを忘れてしまうほどのめり込みました。夏休みじっくり遊ぶのに最適な1本。

95

ペルソナ育成にも関係するコミュの存在がおもしろい。限られた時間をやりくりしてコミュを開拓&育てるところは恋愛SLGのノリだし。戦闘システムはシンプルだが戦略性もある。仲間のペルソナが固定されているだけに、弱点をつかれるとザコ戦でも苦労するけどね (先制攻撃が決まればなんとかなりますが)。ボス戦前にはワープポイントがあるので「帰還してセーブし、すぐボスのフロアに戻る」ことができる点も親切。依頼という小目的があるのも○。ただ、仲間の装備手順が煩雑 (ダンジョン内で個別に話しかける必要がある) など、不親切に感じた部分も少なからずあった。

80

PERSONA NON GRATA

ペルソナ ノン グラータ

死を想え⋯！

MEMENTO MORI

次ページより

ペルソナ ノン グラータ

“歓迎されざる者”

シャドウを追い詰める生と死の12ページ攻略!！

『ペルソナ3』の真実に迫る橋野桂氏 (プロデューサー) × 副島成記氏 (アートディレクター) ロングインタビュー

Cogito, ergo sum

一我思う故に我あり一

橋野桂氏 × 副島成記氏

ロングインタビュー

『ペルソナ』ファン、RPGファンから多くの期待を集め、ついに発売の日を迎えた『ペルソナ3』。発売直後となる今回は、プロデューサー橋野氏と、キャラクターデザインの副島氏両名へのインタビューを敢行。『ペルソナ3』に散りばめられたさまざまなキーワードを紐解いていく。さらに、攻略情報となる基礎知識や、ゲーム内の5月までに判明するデータも掲載。インタビュー&攻略の2本柱で、本作の魅力に鋭く切り込む12Pをお届けしよう！

プロデューサー

橋野 桂 氏

本作のプロデューサーディレクターとして、システム、ストーリーなどを総括。スタッフの本作に対する熱い想いを見事にまとめあげた。

アートディレクター

副島 成記 氏

メインからコミュまで、ほぼすべてのキャラクターをデザイン。本作が持つマンガ調の演出にマッチした、魅力的な登場人物を誕生させた。

右で紹介している『ぺルソナ3』の生みの親、橋野氏と副島氏両名のロングインタビュー。ここでお届けする本作の成り立ちや世界観の内容に続き、次のベージからも「コミュ」「戦闘」「ペルソナ」「キャラクター」と、『ペルソナ3』の大きな軸となる要素を攻略情報とともに伝えていく。ゲームをプレイしただけでは決してわからない、さま ざまなヒミツがここで明らかになる！

■『ペルソナ』に触れたことが��い人に遊んで欲しい1本

『ペルソナ』シリーズの前作にあたる『ペルソナ2罰』から6年という期間がありましたが、なぜ今、このタイミングで『3』を出されたのでしょう？

橋野桂 (以下橋野、敬称略) : 以前から作りたいとは思っていたんです。ただ、『真・女神転生Ⅲ』の直後から、さまざまなタイトルがほぼ同時に動き出して、私たちの時間が空いたことがきっかけですかね。それと、これまでどちらかというとコアなユーザー向けのタイトルが続いたので、これまで関連シリーズで遊んだことのないユーザーさんにも、手にとってもらえる可能性のあるタイトルを出したかったという理由もあります。

新しいユーザーを意識して、キャラクターデザインも副島さんにされたのでしょうか？

橋野 : 表面的にイメージをガラッと変えたいという意識はありました。ただ、それ以上に副島の絵の持つ雰囲気が、このゲームでメッセージを送りたい対象の世代にマッチするという理由のほうが強かったですね。

実際、そのような話を聞いてどう思われましたか？

副島成記 (以下副島、敬称略) : これまでのシリーズでもキャラクターデザイン (※1) もしていましたけど、正直なところを言うと相当なプレッシャーでしたね。ただ、好き勝手にやると変わりすぎるかなと思ったので、変わりすぎないギリギリのところで調整しました (笑)。

完全なアニメーションムービーもシリーズではめずらしい演出だと思うのですが。

副島 : 最初からアニメでいこうというわけではなかったんですよ。『ペルソナ』シリーズは、ほかの『女神転生』シリーズほどクールではなく、少年少女の熱いストーリーだと思うんです。そうなると、キャラクターの表情は一番見せないといけない要素になるんですね。で、何かしらのムービーが必要になったときに、手描きの絵がいいねと。

今までのシリーズに比べて、システム面で大幅な変更が見られますね。

橋野 : システムを変える変えない、ということの前に、「ペルソナ」というものはなんなのかということを考えました。それは実際に心理学で社会に適応するための能力であったり、学園を舞台にしているだけに、若者ならではの葛藤を描いたりといった、根底の部分を考えていったんです。そこをキチンと描かなければ、「ペルソナ」がただの超能力になってしまう気がしたんですね。だから、システムは気にせず、まずはテーマをしっかりと練って、そこにシステムを乗せていくという形になりました。高校生活は3年間で限られていて、だからこそ輝くのであって、卒業に意味が出てくると思うんです。まずそれを描きたかったんですね。じつは最初、ゲームの期間は3年だったんですよ (笑)。

副島 : 『ペルソナ』という以上、学園という舞台ははずせないっ��話し合っていたんですけど、スタッフから3年はありえない、せめて3カ月だって (笑)。

■作品にこめられた「死」というテーマ

橋野 : 今の社会、とくに若者など “生きがい” が足りていないようなことを耳にしますよね。ジュブナイルとして若者にメッセージを送るとしたら、「死」を見つめ直すことで、今生きている「生」をも見つめ直す、生きがいというのは、死にがいと同義なのかなと思ったんですね。そう考えたとき、ゲームならではの “生きがい” の体験を提供できるんじゃないかなと⋯⋯。ここはあまり詳しくは言えないのですが⋯⋯。

副島 : 今もニートの問題とか、無気力な現状がこの先もずっと続くと思っている人もいるじゃないですか。それを望んでいる部分もあったりして。そういう人たちに死を意識させられればという思いはありましたね。その生きることの区切りをゲームに組み込みたいということから、1年365日に区切られたシステムを作りました。

橋野 : そういうリアルさは追及したつもりです。例えば、街にゴミのオブジェを置いてみたり、人の話し方なんかにもこだわりましたね。このゲームでそれぞれに何かを感じてもらい、少しでも何かよい変化へのきっかけになってくれたとしたら、作った意味があるかなって思います。

■新しい『ペルソナ』ワールドを彩る設定

橋野 : 設定面でいえば、影時間は「死」というテーマを象徴する形で作られた設定ですね。それに、主人公たちがみんなに見える世界で活躍するのではなく、隠された世界で活躍するという組織としてのカッコよさもあるかなってことで作りました。

副島 : 元ネタとしては、人間の脳内時計では25時間あるらしいってところからきているんです。なんで25時間あるんだろうっていう部分を創作的に解釈して、誕生した部分もありますね。

橋野 : あとは月齢もそうですね。最近のメガテンシリーズは月があるだけってことが多かったので、しっかりシステムに組み込みたい。そこから、月をストーリーの流れにのせたスケジュールが完成しました。あともう1つは、タロットの月が持つ「迷い」という意味の象徴として演出的に使ってますね。

ロボットや犬など、主要キャラを学生だけでそろえなかった意図というのは？

橋野 : 単純に、犬を連れて歩きたい⋯⋯という願望がありました (笑)。最初は韓流キャラもいたんですけど、増えすぎてさすがにカットしましたね (笑)。

副島 : 韓流キャラは設定もイラストも完成していたんですよ。サブキャラになることもなく、消えていったキャラですね。

橋野 : 逆にアイギスは最初から登場することが決まっていたキャラですね。というのも、ロボットだけに精神を持たないので、その部分を主人公の感情的な面と対比させたいというのがあったんです。また、本作のテーマである死への恐れがない存在として、欠かせない登場人物だったんですよ。

副島 : コンセプトよりも先に設定があったような気もしますね。なので、ストーリーやテンションもわからない段階で描き始めることになってしまって、描きにくかった記憶があります。

橋野 : はじめ、アイギスがヘリオスって機械を呼び出して、月面着陸するってイベントもあったんですけど、さすがにSFすぎるってことでカットしました。リアリティという面で悩んだんですけど、2009年には完成してないかなぁって (笑)。最初、副島は女の子ロボットというのに抵抗があったみたいなんですけど、アイギスこそがヒロインだからって説得して、なんとか。その反動で、機械むき出しのデザインになったの？

副島 : 別に反抗してそういうデザインにしたわけじゃないですよ (笑)。ただ、ハイテクな感じよりはノスタルジックなメカにしたかったんですね。まあ、半分は趣味なんですけど (笑)。

今回、ぺルソナ使いは召喚器 (※2) を使うことで、ぺルソナを召喚できますけど、アイギスやコロ丸は⋯⋯？

橋野 : アイギスは内蔵型のペルソナ召喚器なんです。コロ丸は、首輪の部分にコロ丸用の召喚器が付いています。

副島 : コロ丸はどうやって発動させているんでしょうね。首輪が絞まるとか？(笑)

橋野 : どうなんでしょうね (笑)。もともとは、覚悟を決めさせるロシアンルーレットからきているのですが。あれは自殺しているわけではないので (笑)。

作中、さまざまなところで前作のキャラらしき人物 (※3) が出てきますが、はっきりと登場させなかったのには理由があるのでしょうか？

橋野 : あまり意味がないので、はっきりとは登場させていませんね。ただ、まったく関係ないというよりも、同じシリーズとして世界のつながりを確認するうえで、彼らは彼らで大人になって生きているという設定を盛り込みたかったのです。

前作までは、スタッフのかたもゲームキャラとして登場していましたね。

橋野 : 今回は、内輪ウケになったら恐いなと思って意図的にさけました。ただ、「時価ネットたなか」は、シナリオ書いてる田中ですけど (笑)。ちなみにあの歌 (※4) の作詞は僕で、作曲がサウンドの目黒氏ですね。最初、西城秀樹の声質でって言われたんですけど (笑)。

歌といえば、今回のBGMの多くがボーカル入りですよね。

橋野 : だいぶハッチャけてますよね (笑)。今回は好きにやってくれていいって言いました。ただ、好きにやっていいぶん、テーマ的な言葉だけを与えて作曲してもらいましたね。そのテーマさえ入っているなら、今までシリーズのしがらみでできなかったこともやっていいっよって感じで作らせたら、好きなジャンルでできて楽しかったみたいです。ただ、ボーカルはバージョンが上がるたびに追加されてきて (笑)。最初ボーカルが入ってないからOKを出したのに、マスターアップの直前でボーカル入れてきたりしましたからね (※5)。

最後に、今このゲームを遊んでいるユーザー、またはこれからプレイするユーザーにひとことお願いします。

副島 : 絵に関していえば、グラフィカルな部分では挑戦的なことをやっていると思うので、最近のゲームにはない感覚で楽しんでもらえると思います。インターフェイスとか、ハッチャけたBGMとかも含め、そのあたりを注目してもらえるとうれしいですね。

橋野 : ある種、ワンパターンな型にハマったRPGに飽きた人にプレイしてほしいという想いはありますね。普通のRPGだったら1週間という流れの中で平日はカットしたと思うんです。いわゆる土日の大きなイベントが続くタイプですね。でも『ペルソナ3』は、平日の何気ない学園生活までキチッと描いている。だからこそ、土日のイベント的な部分がより楽しみになると思うんです。実験的な部分もあるとは思うんですけど、夏休みって長いなぁ (笑) とか、変にリアルな1年間を楽しんでもらえればと思います。

『ペルソナ』新章のすべてを語る⋯

PICK UP WORDS

用語解説

※1 【キャラクターデザイ ン】 副島氏は、今回以外にも過去の『女神転生』作品の多くに携わっている。前作にあたる『ペルソナ2罰』では、「トレビア～ン」という口癖が特徴の「ギャルソン副島」としてゲームに登場していた。

※2 【召喚器】 主人公たちが、ペルソナを召喚するために使う銃型のアイテム。じつは、撃つときのポーズはキャラごとに異なるこだわりよう。

※3 【シリーズキャラ】 本作の拠点となる寮のロビー。そこで見ることが可能なTVには、ファンならニヤリとできるキャラが数多く登場する。しかも、TVの内容はほぼ毎日変化するのだ。

※4 【時価ネットたなか】 ゲーム中に利用できる通販ショップ。前作までは、シナリオの里見氏をモデルにした「サトミタダシ」があり、店内に流れる脱力感あふれる歌が話題になった。

※5 【BGM】 シリーズ最高峰のセンスをほこるサントラが7月19日に発売！ゲーム内のすべての楽曲が収録されている。

※6 【女の子のコミュ (P.208)】 女の子のコミュのみ、一定以上仲よくなった段階で、ほかの女の子に話しかけると怒ってしまう。編集部内では「王道恋愛シミュレーションシステム」として、女の子コミュは非常に丁寧に扱われている。

※7 【セリフ (P.200)】 メインキャストのみならず人気声優がそろった本作。じつはスタッフに声優に詳しい人がおらず、近所のレンタル店で大量のアニメをレンタル。そのアニメを見ながら、キャラに合った声優をチョイスしていった。

Crescit enim cum mamplitudine rerum vis inqenii

一無垢なる者の力は課される命題の大きさにより成長する一

一日の流れとタ��ンマップから暴く

コミュニティ

本作を大きく特徴づけている「コミュニティ(以下、コミュ)」。戦闘にも大きな影響を与える交流のシステムを、1日の流れにあわせて戻ってくる。

1日は大きく分けて、昼間のコミュと夜の戦闘という流れで進行していく。次ページのカレンダーの情報を参考に、キャラ、コミュを計画的に育成しよう。

一日の流れ

A.M.8:00

●登校

●午前

A.M.12:00

●昼休み

●午後

学校の授業では学力、魅力アップのチャンス。授業内容は定期試験にも出る。

P.M.3:00

●放課後

放課後は自由に行動が可能。校内、学園外でステータス、コミュを育てよう。

P.M.9:00

●夜

A.M.2:00

●深夜 (タルタロス)

戦闘はこの時間でしか発生しないが、戦闘せずに次の日に進むことも可能だ。

次の日へ

STATUS

主人公のステータスはコミュの発生に大きく影響

下で紹介している主人公だけのステータスは、主人公の「人」としての能力。つまり戦闘に直接影響する能力ではない。ただし、コミュの発生がこのステータスに依存していることがあるので、ぺルソナ育成のためにも欠かせない要素となる。ステータスは、主に街の各施設で上げることが可能だ。左のマップに上昇するステータスも掲載しているので参考にしてほしい。

▲ステータスは、ポイントをためることで次の段階へと成長する。

ACADEMIC

学力

成長一覧

もう少し

できなくはない

そこそこ良い

なかなか優秀

かなりの秀才

天才

学力はコミュ以外に定期試験の結果にも影響する。また街の施設以外に、夜の勉強でも上昇。

CHARM

魅力

成長一覧

これといって

磨けば光る

そこそこある

光っている

オーラが出ている

カリスマ

コミュの発生に影響。夜の自由行動が可能になれば、「シャガール辰巳店」でも上げられる。

COURAGE

勇気

成長一覧

今ひとつ

ないこともない

ここぞでは違う

頼りがいがある

胆が据わっている

漢

コミュの発生に影響。夜の自由行動が可能になれば、「カラオケマンドラゴラ」でも上げられる。

COMMU

会話を重ねてコミュをランクアップ！

コミュは相手に話しかけて会話を重ねることで最大10ランクまでアップする。ただし、好感度が一定値までたまらないとランクは上がらない。話しかけるだけでも好感度は上がるが、会話中の選択肢でさらに稼げるので、最適な選択肢を選べば成長の度合いは大きく変化する。また、部活動なら「戦車」というように、対象となる人物ごとにペルソナとリンクした属性があることも覚えておこう。

▲レベルに応じて作成可能なペルソナの名前、スキルの閲覧も可能。

休日は学校が休みの日であります

学校が休みの日は昼間から自由に行動できる。休日だけのコミュや施設もあるので、有効に活用したいところ。街などへも移動できるが、学校および学校関係者のコミュは発生しない。ただし、休日に会う誘いを受ければ、学校関係者の好感度を稼ぐことも可能だ。

休日だけのコミュ

▶ほかに比べ会話のチャンスは少ない。

アイテム通販「時価ネットたなか」

◀ここでしか入手できない装備品、アイテムも購入可能。性能に比べ価格も安めだ。

長鳴神社

！commu 神社の女の子

会える日 : 日曜以外 (昼)

ぺルソナ属性 : 刑死者

おさいせん

毎日 (1日1回)

上昇ステータス : 学力

おさいせんの金額によって学力アップの確率が変化。できるだけ千円を選択！

おみくじ

ランダムの結果によって資金、体調が変化。

結果 大吉 中吉 小吉 凶 大凶

金額 1万円 千円 五百円 一千円 一五千円

体調 絶好調⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯疲労

巌戸台駅

ワイルダックバーガー

利用可能日 : 木曜以外 (昼)

上昇パラメータ : 勇気

！commu 古書 本の虫

利用可能日 : 日曜以外 (昼)

ペルソナ属性 : 法王

和食屋 わかつ

利用可能日 : 火曜以外 (昼)

上昇パラメータ : 学力

鍋島ラーメン はがくれ

利用可能日 : 土曜以外 (昼)

上昇パラメータ : 魅力

学生寮

カウンター

利用可能日 : 毎日

セーブポイント

！commu ネットゲーム

利用可能日 : 日 (昼)

ペルソナ属性 : 隱者

4月29日より発生可能なコミュ。休日にしか会話を進めることができない。そのほか休日に机を調べると、勉強して学力をアップさせることもできる。

SHOP 時価ネットたなか

利用可能日 : 日 (昼)

－

日曜日にしか利用できない通販ショップ。商品は次週中に届く。テレビは居間ではなく、主人公の部屋にあるものを見ること。以下は序盤手に入るリスト。

5月3日 ¥2980

斬撃見切りの書+樹液ゼリー×1

5月10日 ¥2980

ギガパワーバンド+ダイエットフード×1

5月17日 ¥5980

十徳刀+ダイエットフード×2

5月24日 ¥5980

多機能エプロン+ダイエットフード×2

5月31日 ¥3980

超健康サンダル+ダイエットフード×1

ポートアイランド駅

スクリーンショット

利用可能日 : 毎日 (昼)

上昇ステータス : 魅力、勇気

SHOP ラフレシ屋

利用可能日 : 毎日 (昼)

商品 : 花

◀花屋で購入できるアイテムは、女性キャラへの贈り物に使える。

月高館学園

！commu クラスメート

会える日 : 火、木、金

ペルソナ属性 : 魔術師

！commu 運動部

会える日 : 月、水～金

ペルソナ属性 : 戰車

SHOP 購買部

利用可能日 : 日曜以外

商品 : 消費アイテム

！commu 生徒会

会える日 : 月、水、金

ペルソナ属性 : 皇帝

保健室

利用可能日 : 休日以外

上昇パラメータ : 勇気 (疲労、風時のみ)

図書室

利用可能日 : 休日以外

上昇パラメータ : 学力

保健室ではパラメータはアップするが体調を回復させることはできない。購買部では回復アイテムとブックカバーを販売。ブックカバーはプレゼントに使用できる。

ポロニアンモール

SHOP 青ひげファーマシー

利用可能日 : 毎日 (昼、夜)

商品 : 消費アイテム

SHOP 辰巳東交番

利用可能日 : 毎日 (昼)

商品 : 武器、防具

SHOP ビー・ブルー・ヴィー

利用可能日 : 毎日 (昼)

商品 : アクセサリー

シャガール辰巳店

利用可能日 : 毎日 (昼、夜)

上昇ステータス : 魅力

ベルベットルーム

利用可能日 : 毎日 (昼、夜)

ぺルソナ合体

タルタロス以外でも使用可能。ここでの行動で時間が進むことはない。

カラオケ マンドラゴラ

利用可能日 : 金・土以外 (夜)

上昇ステータス : 勇気

ペスカレイド

利用可能日 : 毎日 (夜)

占い

ゲームセンター ゲームパニック

利用可能日 : 毎日 (昼、夜)

クレーンゲーム(店外)

特売日を活用であります

・青ひげファーマシー : 土曜日

・辰巳東交番 : 月曜日

・ビー・ブルー・ヴィー : 日曜日

TOWN's MAP

全施設&コミュキャラの場所がわかる港区完全マップ

本作の舞台、港区のマップを紹介。場所や上昇するステータス、コミュなど、利用可能な各施設の情報を詳しく掲載していく。

まずは各施設を移動してゲームシステムに慣れよう

主人公が入寮するのは始業式前日の深夜 (影時間)。ここで謎の少年との初対面となる。9日にはオープニングイベントとして、臆病のマーヤ×2との戦闘が発生。戦闘時にはすでに主人公のペルソナが使えるので、弱点を突いて倒してしまおう。戦闘後は主人公が倒れてしまうため、カレンダーのようにしばらく空白期間となる。実際にタルタロスに入るのは順平が入寮した翌日から。最初の探索はチュートリアルのようになっており、美鶴が探索の基本を教えてくれるのでしっかり聞いておくこと。この日を境にして自由にタルタロス探索が可能で、放課後や夜の行動、交番での武器・防具の購入もできるようになる。青ひげファーマシ一は夜も利用可能なので、タルタロスに行く前に準備を整えるといいだろう。

LONG INTERVIEW

ロングインタビュー

ただのサブストーリーではなくクリアするための力に直結させたい

「コミュ」というシステムはどのようにして生まれたのでしょうか？

橋野 : コミュは、『ペルソナ3』の原案からあったシステムなんです。そこで、僕たちのなかでのテーマがあって、ただメインストーリーのほかにサブストーリーがあるっていうものではなく、コミュというシステムがクリアするための力に直結できるようにと考えて制作していました。��こから、コミュを育てればペルソナが強くなり、ペルソナが強ければクリアもラクになるという形になりましたね。

副島 : 最初はコミュのストーリ―も、すごくあっさりしたものだったんですよ。でも、テストプレイでメインよりコミュのストーリーが気になるという感想が多くて、凝らないとまずいかなってことになりましたね (笑)。

「コミュ」のストーリーはなにかもとになっているものがあるのでしょうか？

橋野 : 部活動のコミュなんかは、スタッフの実体験をもとにしているものもありますね。マネージャーを希望する女子は、ほかの女子から嫌われる傾向にあるらしく、ああいった感じのストーリーになっていたり (笑)。じつはこれにもテーマがあって、できるだけありがちにしてほしいと。でもそこに、何かをあきらめる出来事、そしてそこを乗り越えて覚悟を得るという結果にしてほしいと注文しましたね。あとは、「太陽」なら最後に光を見つけるとか、「悪魔」なら誘惑があるなど、ペルソナのアルカナごとにそったストーリーになるようまとめています。

コミュのキャラと仲が悪くなるシステムも当初からあったものですか？

橋野 : そうですね。実際に、仲よくしている人がいて、ある流行とか流れで違うグループの人とずっと一緒にいることってありますよね。そのあと、仲よかった人との関係がギクシャクするってことあるじゃないですか。そういう関係みたいなものをシステムで再現したかったんですよ。僕自身の体験がよくないだけかもしれませんが (笑)。ほかの人とずっといるのに、その人がずっと時間が止まったように待たれても、それはリアルさに欠けるかなという考えもありましたね。ただ、女の子のコミユ (※6) は、あれを作ったスタッフがすごい凝っていろいろな仕組みを入れたもので、僕が想定した以上に複雑になっていますけど。あと女性コミュは、それ以外にも悩みましたね。ランクが最大まで達したときのイベントの到達点がどうしたらいいのか、と。最終的には、まぁうまくまとまったかなぁ (笑)。あと、最初女性キャラはすべてアルカナの「恋愛」だったんですよ。「恋愛1」「恋愛2」って感じで。でも、同じものを育てるくらいなら、ほかのアルカナを育てるだろうなと思いまして、まだ完成していなかったショップのコミュをカットして、ほかのアルカナに振り直したりとか、最後までこの部分についてはいじってましたね。

ちなみに、お2人のお気に入りのコミュなどありますか？

副島 : 僕は、「魔術師」のコミュの友近ですね。話はありえないけど、不思議とリアルな友人なんですよね (笑)。

橋野 : 僕は無達和尚ですね。あんな和尚も世の中にはいるのかなぁって (笑)。

Bellum se ipsum

一争いは自身を無に帰す一

タルタロスの激戦を乗り切る

戦闘知識

主人公たちの深夜の顔「シャドウ討伐隊」。ここでは、戦闘システムや敵データなど、タルタロスでの激戦を切り抜けるための基礎知識を伝授していこう。

▲「月をバックにそびえる塔」というラフスケッチからタルタロスは生まれた。

MEDIALAND

ゲームショップ・メディアランドの予約特典テレカ絵柄。特別課外活動部部長の美鶴と、凛とした主人公の組み合わせが特徴的な一枚。

全員が前線で戦うわけではない、チームとしての仲間意識

LONG INTERVIEW

ロングインタビュー

月に向かって落ちていく塔それがタルタロス

タルタロスをなぜ塔にしたのでしょうか？

副島 : タルタロスは本来「奈落」といった意味なのですが、1つには登ったほうが達成感があるという理由があります。

橋野 : 個人的には、地下迷宮を降りていくほうが好きなんですけど、今回は絵を優先させた結果塔になったんです。あとは、学園を舞台にしているので、学校をからませたいという理由もありましたね。いくら影時間とはいえ、学校が変化して地下迷宮というのもピンとこなかったので (笑)。そんな、塔にするかどうかも決まっていない段階で、副島から月にそびえる塔というラフスケッチを見せてもらって、これだって感じで進んでいきましたね。

副島 : 一応、自分のなかの設定がありまして、あのタルタロスは地面から月に向かって落ちていっているということになって います。なぜ、そういう設定かは、ゲームを進めてもらえればわかると思います。

■一方的に押し込める、ある意味リアルなバトルシステム

本作では、これまでとまた違った戦闘システムが採用されていますが？

橋野 : 当初、リアルタイムにしたいという案もありましたが、ダンジョン探索はリアルタイムでもいいけど、戦闘は今までつちかってきた得意のシステムを継承したいということで、今の仕様が生まれてきたんです。ただ、プレスシステムもある意味リアルさは盛り込んでいまして、普通ケンカで殴ったとしたら、相手から反撃されるまえに、股ったほうが追撃できるものじゃないかなって。それが、バーティ全員なら全員で押し込んでポコボコにできると (笑)。

さらに今は「作戦」というものがありますが？

橋野 : 今回の戦闘では仲間は自律した存在として描いているんです。でも、だからといって主人公が何も発言できないのはおかしいという考えから、作戦である程度の指示を出せるようにしました。ただ、この魔法を使えというところまで指示できてしまうと、仲間が完全にキャラになってしまうので、そのあたりは自律を尊重するよう注意しましたね。ただ、仲よくなればいろいろ言えるようにもなるだろうってことで、ストーリーが進むと作戦も増えるようにしています。

もう1つ「情報支援」という特殊なシステムを搭載したのはなぜでしょう？

橋野 : 刑事ものとかの映画を見ると、前線で戦う人がいて、後方で支援する人がいて、それでチームが成り立っている。全員が剣を持って突っ込んで、主人公が装備を着替えさせてというよりは、自然な関係、リアルな仲間を意識させ��ために、後方でサポートするというキャラが必要だろうと。これは、情報支援以外のキャラが自律しているという点にも意識させてはいますね。

通信時に小さな画面が出てきますが、あれはどういったものでしょうか？

橋野 : みんな通信機は持っているのですが、それは機械的なもので、風花の通信は非常にファンタジックな設定のものですね。みんな、風花という情報支援キャラをとおして、さまざまな情報を得る。そこで支援キャラの大切さを意識してもらえればいいんですけどね。

Search

探索

タルタロス探索をスムーズに進めるための基礎知識を解説

タルタロスでは、敵との戦闘以外にも「探索」という要素が大きなカギを握る。そのシステムを詳しく解説していこう。

▲段差を利用してアタックをかければ、安全に先制攻撃できる。

シンボ ルの意味を頭にたたき込め！

本作はエンカウント式ではなく、敵のシンボルに触れることで戦闘が開始される。シンボルは、敵の種類によって異なるものが用意されているので、まずその違いを頭に入れておこう。また、タルタロスには敵以外にもさまざまなシンボルが存在する。そのすべてをここで紹介しよう。ちなみに、1度タルタロス内部に入ると、エントランスに戻らない限り、下の階へ戻ることができない。ターミナルに関係しているこの基本ルールも忘れないように。

“死神”はダメであります

タルタロスで最強の敵ともいえる死神。序盤で手を出すのは自殺行為なので、出現したらすぐに逃げること。同じ階層で戦い続けていると出現しやすいので、あまり長く同じ階層でウロウロしないようにすること。

▲戦闘後のカード選択でドクロマークを選ぶと出現することも。

■タルタロスの移動

相互通行

エントランスから直接移動できるターミナル。

一方通行

エントランスへの一方通行となるターミナル。

1Fエントランス

セーブポイント

タルタロス唯一のセーブポイント。塔内部ではセーブできないので、探索前、帰還時など、マメにセーブをするように心がけよう。

ベルベットルーム

ペルソナの合体や工リザベスの依頼を受けることができる部屋。依頼は1度に3つしか受けることができないので、達成したらすぐにエリザベスに報告するクセをつけておこう。

宝箱の種類

宝箱には見た目の異なる2種類のシンボルが存在。階層が上がるごとに中身は豪華になっていく。取り逃さないように！

通常の宝箱。装備品や回復薬などの消費アイテム、お金が入っている。

レアアイテムの宝箱。この箱からしか入手できない装備品もある。

敵の種類

敵のシンボルは全部で5種類。この違いは、主に依頼達成のために覚えておきたいところ。

通常の敵シンボル。敵の数によって大きさが変わるが色に変化はない。

通常に比べ強力なタイプの敵はこのシンボルになるが、動きは同じ。

いわゆるレア���。見つかると猛スピードで逃げ、すぐに消滅してしまう。

レベル差があるため動揺している敵。見つかると逃げ出してしまう。

死神タイプの敵。超絶的な戦闘能力を有する。出現したら逃げあるのみ。

背後から狙い先制攻撃を目指せ

本作では、敵に気づかれずに「アタック」することで先制をとることができる。先制をとれば、行動が一巡するまで敵は動けないため、かなり有利に戦闘を進められる。ここでは、主人公が装備している武器によって異なる、アタックの特徴を解説していこう。

◀▼当然ながら、敵からアタックを受ければ、敵の先制攻撃になる。

武器の特性

片手剣 リーチ : ★★ スピード : ★★

リーチ、スピードともに平均点だが、最もバンスがよく扱いやすい。空振りしてしまったときのスキは大きいものの、リーチさえ覚えてしまえば安定性は高い。敵が向かってきたときのことも考えて、武器を出す速さも把握しておこう。

拳 リーチ : ★ スピード : ★★★

拳の特徴は、武器を出すスピードの速さ。そのスピードは全武器のなかでも最速でスキは小さい。ただし、リーチは一番短く、敵にかなり近づく必要がある。レベルが高い敵ほど反応が早いので、高レベルの敵がいるエリアでは不利になる。

両手剣 リーチ : ★★ スピード : ★

武器を出すスピードという点では、ほかの武器に劣る両手剣。しかし、そのリーチの長さはスピードの遅さを補って余りある魅力といえる。敵の背後にさえ回ることができれば、高い確率で先制攻撃のチャンスを得ることが可能だ。

弓 リーチ : ★★★ スピード : ★

リーチの長さでいえば、全武器中最長を誇る弓。敵の視界外からアタックすることも可能なのは大きなポイントだ。ただし、矢の軌道が見えなかったり、アタック後の硬直時間が長かったりと、正確に敵を狙うにはかなりの慣れが必要。

レア敵はこの武器がオススメであります！

反応が敏感で素早いレア敵は、とらえにくい敵。ただし、背後から接近すれば、そう簡単には気づかれない。そこで真後ろから近づき、アタックの出も早めでリーチもある片手剣でアタックするのがオススメ。真後ろから少しズレるだけでも気づかれるので注意。

◀敵の視界外から弓で狙う手もあるが、難易度は高め。

中間試験終了後はついに真田がパーティに加入

連休があるため、コミュのランクやステータスアップに最適。ただし、中間試験前にはゆかりがタルタロスに行かないと言い出すので、学生生活にばかり気を取られず、たまに探索もしておくこと。試験前にタルタロスに行く場合、主人公と順平の2人パーティになるのでできれば避けておきたい。試験期間は試験シーンのみで1日が進み、最終日には真田がパーティ

Battle

戦闘

敵の弱点を突き無傷で進むためのバトルテクニックを紹介!！

シンボル、アタックをマスターできれば、いよいよ戦闘へ！弱点を突くことで一気にたたみ込めるシステムから敵データまで、この情報で戦闘を極めろ！

▲動揺状態の敵なら、クリティカルも出やすい。

1moreからボコスカまでの完全チャート

本作の戦闘では、敵の弱点やクリティカルを突くことで敵がダウンし、もう1度行動できる「1moreプレス」が発生する。これを使うことで、敵に行動する機会を与えることなく勝利できるので、積極的に狙っていきたい。さらに、出現している敵すべてをダウンさせれば味方全員による総攻撃「ボコスカプレス」が発生。左ではその特徴を解説！

■BATTLE CHART

▲ダウンさせたうえにもう1度行動できるのは大きい。

支援キャラの情報をもとに敵の弱点を突くことは、本作の戦闘では必須ともいえる。弱点を突けば敵は行動不能なダウン状態に。ダウンは敵の行動順がくると回復されるが、それ以外の行動はできない。

弱点を突く！

全体攻撃をはずすと「1more」はなし！

「1more」は、弱点攻擊を当てることで発生する。ただし、弱点の全体攻撃であっても1体でも攻撃をはずすと発生しない。

▲魔法攻撃であっても回避されることはある。

ダウン状態の敵への攻撃は必中となる。ただし、ダウン状態の敵を攻撃すると、それが弱点攻撃であってもダウンが回復されてしまう。確実にトドメを刺せるとき以外は、ほかの敵を攻撃するように。

Down！

通常攻撃でもダウンのチャンスあり！

ダウンは基本的に弱点への攻撃だが、例外として通常攻撃のクリティカルでも発生させることが可能だ。弱点攻撃がない場合に狙え。

▲攻撃に属性はなく、どの敵へもダメージを与える。

出現しているすべての敵をダウンさせれば、全員攻撃である「ボコスカプレス」が発生。これは、行動順に関係なく行える攻撃なうえ、必ず当たるという特典つき。参加する人数でダメージが変化する。

ボコスカ!！

「ポコスカ」の攻撃力は？

非常に強力な攻撃だが、ダウンしている仲間は攻撃に参加できない。また、主人公がダウンしていると、この攻撃自体が行えない。

JIN

ジン

タカヤにつき添う関西弁の男性。 ストレガの情報収集や分析役として暗躍する。

TAKAYA

タカヤ

ネット上のサイトで、復讐代行を請け負う謎の集団「ストレガ」のリーダー。

作戦を使いこなし、より有利に戦いを進めろ！

「作戦」は、自律して行動する仲間をある程度制御するためのシステム。下に5月までに使える作戦の一覧を掲載するので、それぞれの特徴をつかんでほしい。作戦は主人公の行動順でしか変更できないので、ときには意図どおりにいかないこともある。そこで、通常攻撃のオート戦闘となる△ボタンの「ラッシュ」を使い仲間をコントロ��ルしよう。

▲無駄にHPやSPを消費しそうなときは、とっさに△ボタンを押して通常攻撃に。

「システム」も活用するです！

▶システムのコンフィグから変更が可能だ。

戦闘開始時の作戦は「自由に戦え」になっている。多用する作戦が別のものなら、システムで作戦を変更することも可能だ。もっと も、弱点を突いた攻撃、通常攻撃、回復、補助とバランスよく行う「自由に戦え」は、優秀な作戦としてオススメできる。初期状態はこの作戦のままで、敵の種類にあわせてコマメに変更したほうが安定して戦えるだろう。

■5月までに習得可能な作戦一覧

戦闘時 探索時

作戦名 内容

自由に戦え 弱点がわかっていれば弱点攻撃を、仲間のHPが減っていれば回復をと、バランスよく行動する作戦。

回復、補助に徹しろ 少しでもHPが減っていれば、回復行動を優先して行う。全員のHPが全快で、ステータス異常もなければ攻撃を行う。

SPを温存しろ SPを消費するスキルを使わなくさせる作戦。ただし、HPを消費するスキルの使用を抑えることはできない。

ターゲットを指示 攻撃するターゲットを指定できる。ターゲットの固定以外は「自由に戦え」と同じ思考で行動する。

待機しろ 攻撃、回復などを一切行わせない作戦。主人公でトドメを刺したい場合やアナライズを優先させたい場合などに使おう。

散会しろ 仲間をバラバラに行動させて、宝箱の回収や上の階層への階段を探させるといった行動をとらせることができる。

敵討伐を優先しろ 仲間をバラバラに行動させて、個別に敵と戦わせることができる。個別に行動すれば1人当たりの入手経験値も上昇。

作戦を得ることが、勝利への近道！

5月までは美鶴が務めることになる情報支援キャラ。これは一緒に行動する戦闘キャラとは別に存在するもので、タルタロスの状況を解説したり、敵の情報を解析したりするのが主な仕事となる。なかでも重要なのが敵の弱点などがわかる「アナライズ」。新しい敵に出会ったら、まずはアナライズを行おう。

▲アナライズはL1ボタンでショートカットできる。

▲仲間がはぐれたら、「救援要請」で呼び戻そう。

弱点がわかっていても調べるであります

▲仲間は支援の情報をもとに行動している。

戦闘を重ねると、敵の種類や偶然で、アナライズする前に弱点がわかることもある。しかし、そこでアナライズをしないと、仲間には弱点が伝わらないままになってしまう。調べる前に弱点がわかったとしても、アナライズは必ず行おう。

CHIDORI

チドリ

その行動、目的などが謎に包まれた集団ストレガの紅一点。その能力とは一体⋯⋯!？

■タルタロス25階までの敵データ

タルタロス25Fまでに出現するボス以外の敵を、階層順、レベル順に羅列。ただし、赤いシンボルと金色のシンボルのレア敵は、各階層の最後に色分けして表示している。敵の名前が赤色のものは赤いシンボルの敵、オレンジのものは金色のシンボルの敵を表す。

カードはどれを狙うのがオススメ？

最後の敵を倒したときの攻撃に主人公がからんでいると発生する「シャッフルタイム」では、カードの中から1枚を引ける。このカードからは、お金や武器、ペルソナなど得られるものは多い。なかでも経験値がアップする「ワンド」は効率よく探索を進めるためにも、優先して狙いたいカードだ。また、武器よりもお金を選んだほうがお得。

[オラクルカード一覧]

ぺルソナ

合体の素材としてはもちろん、そのまま戦闘にも使える。主人公よりレベルが高いと入手不可。

カップ

HPが回復するカード。主人公のHPの減り具合によって、主人公のみか仲間全員かで対象が変化。

ワンド

その戦闘で入手した経験値が割り増しされる力ード。数字しだいで倍以上になることもある。

ソード

武器の装備品を入手できる。数字が大きいほど効果の高い武器になるが、店売りと同じもののみ。

コイン

お金を入手できるカード。金額はランダムだが、 数字が大きいほど高額になっていく。

ブランク

ダブルアップ時に出現されるカード。このカードを選ぶと、すでに得たカードが失われてしまう。

Animae dimidium meae

一魂の半身一

自らの分身⋯

ペルソナを極める！

戦闘において主人公たちの大きな力となるペルソナ。序盤で使える仲間たちの特徴、スキルなどぺルソナに関する情報を解説。もう1人の自分を極めるコツがここにある！

MESSE SANOH

ゲームショップ・メッセサンオーの予約特典テレカ絵柄。これはシャドウか？ペルソナなのか？主人公はいったい何に魅入られているのだろうか？シナリオにからむ重要な存在と主人公が対面している激レアな絵だ。

ペルソナの力が主人公の力になる

本作では、主人公の戦闘における能力はペルソナのステータスに依存している。レベルアップで上昇するのはHP、SPのみなので覚えておいてほしい。また、特定の組み合わせのペルソナを持ち合わせることで「ミックスレイド」という特殊スキルを覚える。序盤で覚えることができる組み合わせを掲載するので、有効活用してほしい。

▲主人公の能力は純粋にペルソナに依存。より強いペルソナが必須に！

序盤で使えるミックスレイド

カデンツァ

オルフェウス+アプサラス

効果 : 味方全員のHPが50%回復+味方全員の回避率上昇

ジャックブラザーズ

ジャックフロスト+ジャックランタン

効果 : 敵全体を中確率でダウンさせる (ダメージはなし)

ジャスティス！

エンジェル+アークエンジェル

効果 : 敵全体に光属性で現在HPの50%ダメージ

▲消費SPは大きめなものの、効果は絶大。とくに「カデンツァ」はボス戦で役立つ。

インセンスカードでさらにパワーアップです

キングやクイーンの名前がついたアイテム「インセンスカード」を使えば、ぺルソナのステータスを増強させることができる。お気に入りや有効なスキルを覚えたぺルソナができれば、レベルにかかわらずこれで一線級に強化することも可能だ。また、この強化した能力は合体しても引き継がれる。

▲▶低レベルのピクシーでも、強化することで高ステータスのぺルソナに！

仲間の特徴も覚えるべし

前ページでも述べたように、本作では仲間が自律して行動する。それだけに、仲間の持つスキル、弱点、行動のクセを把握することは重要といえるだろう。そこで、ここでは序盤で一緒に行動する3人の仲間の特徴を掲載。これを参考に、仲間が持つ戦闘のパターンをつかんでおこう。

▼仲間のスキルを把握することで、指示する作戦もより効果的なものを選択できるようになる。

あなたが弱点を補うであります

連れ歩ける仲間は主人公を除いて3人。次のスキルページでも説明しているように、基本的な属性攻撃だけでも4種類あり、仲間だけでは補完できない。そこで、ぺルソナを自由に付け替えられる主人公に、仲間が持っていないスキルを埋める役割をさせる。属性を幅広くカバーし、どんな弱点も突けるようにしよう。

▶スキル継承を使い1体で複数の属性を覚えさせたい。

TAKEBA YUKARI

岳羽ゆかり

スリップなしの貫通攻撃

ゆかりが使う弓は、命中率こそ多少劣るものの、はずしてもスリップすることがない。SPが少なければ通常攻撃させるのも手だ。

イオ

パーティの生命線

風属性の魔法と回復系スキルを使いこなすイオ。攻撃よりも回復担当としての役割を主眼においた戦い方をさせていきたい。

■耐性 風

■弱点 雷

■序盤に覚えるスキル ディア パトラ ガル

◀ボスや強敵なら回復に徹しよう。

IORI JUNPEI

伊織順平

攻撃力は大きいけれど⋯⋯

順平が使う両手剣は攻撃力が大きいぶん、命中力に不安が残る武器。ぺルソナが育って速度が育つまでは、スキル中心で戦おう。

ヘルメス

回復のサポートは必須

ヘルメスは直接攻撃を好むタイプのペルソナ。物理攻撃のスキルはHPを消費するため、ゆかりやここせよう。明彦などの回復でフォローしよう。

■耐性 火

■弱点 風

■序盤に覚えるスキル スラッシュ アギ リパトラ スクカジャ

◀攻撃力という長所を伸ばしたい。

SANADA AKΙΗΙΚΟ

真田明彦

高いコンボ率に期待

拳の武器は高い命中率とコンボ発生率が強み。攻撃力は低めなものの、コンボが出やすいため総攻撃力でほかの武器との差は少ない。

ポリデュークス

攻守に優れたバランス型

物理攻擊、魔法攻撃、回復にサポートとバランスよくスキルを覚える。主人公とあわせて、ほかの2人を補助する形で活躍させよう。

■耐性 雷

■弱点 氷

■序盤に覚えるスキル ソニックパンチ ディア ジオ

◀自由に戦わせるのがオススメ。

巷で噂の！

エリザベスセクシーふわふわスキル講座

みなさん、タルタロス探索のほうは順調でございましょうか？今回は、私が特別に探索には欠かせないスキルをご教授させていただこうと思います。

1時限目攻撃方法の活用を覚えましょう

まずみなさんに覚えていただきたいのは攻撃魔法の属性。敵の多くは、この6属性のうちどれかを弱点として持っていますので、名前と属性の関係をしっかり頭にたたき込んでもらえると助かります。また、魔法は強化→最強と進化するにつれ、その攻撃力も上がっていきます。ただ、弱点を突くことが重要ですので、威力の高さよりも複数の属性を所持することを優先させたほうがよろしいでしょう。

基本形 強化形 最強形

アギ(火炎) アギラオ アギダイン

ブフ(氷結) ブフーラ ブフダイン

ガル(疾風) ガルーラ ガルダイン

ジオ(電撃) ジオンガ ジオダイン

ハマ(光) ハマオン

ムド(闇) ムドオン

全体には「マハ」をつけましょう

▼序盤は敵が1種類なので全体が有効。

上の魔法名の頭にマハをつけると、範囲が全体に変わります。どちらがいいかは一長一短といったところですが、基本的に3体以上に攻撃するなら、マハ〜のほうが消費SPの面でお得でございます。敵の数で使い分けましょう。

CHECK

その他のスキル

～カジャ

味方の能力アップはこの系統です

味方の各ステータスを上げるのが、カジャ系の魔法です。武器の命中率が低めなので、スクカジャが重宝しそうですね。また、デカジャはカジャ系の効果を消滅させる効果がございます。

▲有効な攻撃手段がないときにお使いください。

～ンダ

敵の能力ダウンはこちらになります

カジャ系とは逆に、敵のステータスを下げるのがこちらのンダ系の魔法です。回避率の高い敵にスクンダを、攻撃力の大きい敵にタルンダをというように活用すれば攻守に渡って役立つでしょう。

▲敵の突出した能力を抑えるときに使いましょう。

オート

使用の必要がない自動発動スキルです

こちらは、わざわざ使用せずとも自動で発動するという特殊な系統でございます。たとえば、タルカジャオートなら、タルカジャの効果がある状態で戦闘が開始されるというものです。

▲オートで発動するので、SP消費もありません。

LONG INTERVIEW

ロングインタビュー

個人と他者との距離感、つながりをぺルソナのシステムに反映

今回主人公以外のペルソナが固定なのは？

橋野 : 今回は主人公の力が世界を変えるという話で、タロットが象徴する愚者、つまりゼロの状態から出発して主人公が成長していくという軸を最初に引いたんですね。そこで、主人公は特別扱いしたかったのが理由の1つです。あとは、夜一緒に仲間と戦うなら、昼間はそれぞれがバラバラに行動するという仕組みを作りたかったんですね。バーティのありかた、仲間の自律をゲームシステムで表現したかったわけです。そうしたとき、装備からぺルソナからすべて主人公が面倒を見るのは違うんじゃないかなって思ったんですね。もちろん、仲間のペルソナを付け替えたいって人もいるとは思いますけど、思い切って主人公だけにしました。

今回『女神転生』でも初となる4～6身合体を入れようと思った理由は？

橋野 : 今までと違うようで、じつは組み合わせの決められた合体という仕組みで、複雑なものにはしたくなかったんですよ。それと、『ぺルソナ』もそうですけど、『DDS』など合体から離れている部分があって、自分のなかでフラストレーションがたまっていたんですね。そういうこともあって、今回は合体もちゃんとやってますってことをユーザーさんに伝えたいと思い、4～6体の合体を入れたんです。ただ合体を増やすだけでなく、そこにコミュによるボーナス経験値が加算されることで、いわゆる経験値稼ぎが不必要になって、テンポもよくなるかなという狙いもありましたね。といっても、スキルの継承などを深くやり込んでいこうって考え出す人には、いくらでもやり込める要素は用意されていると思います。『Ⅲ』で好評だった、「悪魔 (ペ���ソナ) 全書」もきちんと用意してありますからね。

今回ぺルソナは何体くらいいるのですか？

橋野 : 『真・女神転生Ⅲ』のときより多くしたかったのですが、3Dのモデルで悪魔を作ると、じつは1体あたりにかかる時間も費用も相当なものに⋯⋯。今回はシャドウとペルソナも別個に作っているので、さらに大変で。そこは今までの財産を生かしながら、今回150体近いペルソナを用意できましたね。逆にそれくらいの数を用意しなければ、今作の合体システムが充分楽しめないだろうなと思いました。

Amor caecus

一愛は盲目一

愛すべき『ペルソナ3』の登場人物たち⋯より世界に浸るための

キャラクター特集

さまざまなドラマを魅せ、プレイヤーをひきつけるキャラクターたち。そんなキャラクターたちを盛り上げる「電撃コミュ」が本格始動！さらに今回は、『ペルソナ3』スタッフお気に入りのコミュや幻のコミュなど、本格始動にふさわしい豪華な内容でお送りしていく。

こんなコミュに反応が！

電撃コミュニティ

DENGEKI COMMU

「電撃コミュ」から拡がる『ペルソナ3』の輪！早くもメッセージを紹介！

キャラクターの魅力満載の本作。その魅力を多くの人に伝えるためのオリジナルコミュニティ、それが「電撃コミュ」だ！ソフトも発売され、好きなキャラや、コミュを発生させたいキャラなど、キャラに対する愛情があふれているころだろう。左に紹介しているように、そんな想いを募らせたファンから早くも多くのメッセージが到着！さらに、スタッフイチオシのコミュなど、今回だけの特別企画満載で『ペルソナ3』の深い世界観に迫っていく！

美鶴先輩が白ブラウスでハイヒールなコミュ

・お嬢様で生徒会長でハイヒールって��こにビンビンきてます。早くプレイしたい！(埼玉県・セーブさん)・美鶴は絶対パーティからはずしません、いえはずせません (兵庫県・ヤマオカさん)

▲クールビューティなお嬢様に、主に男性諸君の理性が陥落中。

風花かわいいよ風花コミュ

・戦闘キャラじゃないってとこですでにメロメロです (香川県・ドンさん)・おどおどしてるトコが守ってあげたい。ちょっとドジっ娘なナビがあったら萌えです！(山形県・ふにさん)・能登さん大 好き (京都府・城さん)

▲弱そうなところが母性本能をくすぐったのか大反響。

電撃コミュの基本ルール

●自分が気になるキャラのコミュがあれば、迷うことなく参加せよ！

●気になるコミュがないのなら、迷うことなくコミュを立ち上げろ！

●キャラへの愛、熱い想いさえ伝われば、どんなコメントでもOK！

●『ペルソナ3』に関することやネタなら、どんなものでもOK！

ココに注目

開発スタッフ▶イチオシ妄想コミュ

ここでは、今回の企画のために『ペルソナ3』開発スタッフから送っていただいたイチオシ (個人的好み) の妄想コミュを紹介。コミュキャラ以外に秘められたスタッフの熱い想いを見よ！

ゲームプランナー・田坂氏

保健の江戸川先生とのコミュ

現実にはありえないインパクトありまくりな魔術の授業が魅力的です。独特のセリフ回しで語る先生自身もお気に入り。オススメは授業のときより怪しさに磨きのかかった保健室での先生です。

ゲームブランナー・田坂氏

喫茶店「シャガール」のウェイトレスコミュ

喫茶店「シャガール」で働いているウェイトレスの女の子。まるでメイドのようなキュートな服装にひかれ、ついついそれを目的に喫茶店に通ってしまう自分がそこにいるのです。

ゲームプランナー・田坂氏

柿の木を見ている女子生徒のコミュ

月光館学園の渡り廊下で、柿の木を見ている女の子。ひたすら柿の実が生るのを待っている姿は、どこか哀愁がただよっていて渡り廊下の風景を引き立たせているような感じがします。

ゲームプランナー兼広報・宇田氏

教室で街案内をしてくれる男子コミュ

教室で街案内をしてくれる男子。ずーっと黒板のほうを向いている暗さが、学生時代の自分とかぶり非常にお友だちになりたい感じです。きっと、何かに思い悩んでいるんですよ。えぇ。

ゲームプランナー・後藤氏

メモリーカードのコミュ

正確には『ペルソナ3』の開発ラインには属していないボクですが、ある時期に元デバッカーの経験を買われ、メモリーカード関連のデバック作業を行いました。休日、人もまばらな開発室でただひたすらにセーブデータを作成し、上書きし、消去し、メモリーカードを本体から抜き差しする。現時点でボクの中の『ペルソナ3』は、タルタロスのエントランスと寮のロビーです。ああ、麗しのメモリーカード。ボクの友だちはキミだけだよ⋯⋯。

そのほかにも⋯

⋯こんなコミュを募集中！

右で紹介している以外にも、「電撃コミュ」ではさまざまなキャラのコミュを募集中！ちょっとでも賛同できる内容があれば、『ぺルソナ3』の輪を拡げるためにも下のあて先までコメントをぜひ送ってほしい。もちろん、キミの愛がつまったオリジナルコミュも大歓迎だ！

コミュ名: 順平のセリフが気になるッ！

シャドウ討伐隊のムードメーカー順平くん。最近、テレッテッテー、○○はレベルアップ！と思ったビルドアッパーな出来事を募集しますっ！

コミュ名: ペルソナ犬・コロマル

家の愛犬、どうやらなんかついてるっぽいと心配な飼い主さん。ここで飼い犬の真相を暴露してみませんか？いや、もう、猫でも鳥でも、いいよ？

番 外 編 ボツになった幻のコミュ!？

スタッフイチオシのコミュに加え、開発初期には存在したものの、さまざまな事情でお蔵入りとなった幻のコミュを大公開！

黒澤巡査のコミュ

購入金額に応じてランクアップ⋯ってアコギですよね？

コロマルとのコミュ

話さないけど、餌をあげたり散歩したり、意外と楽しい!？

電撃コミュのあて先

住所、氏名、年齢、そして参加したコミュ名、もしくは自分で立ち上げたいコミュ名とコメントを明記して、「persona3@mediaworks.co.jp」まで、どしどしメールを送っちゃおう！

Sofmap

ゲームショップ・sofmapさん予約特典テレカ絵柄。物思いにふけるアイギス⋯⋯。彼女はいったい何を思うのだろうか？

P3 REPLAY

コミュニティ最大ランクへの必勝法を探せ！

ペルソナの主人公は学生、しかも今回は学校生活を体験できる！ということで友人たちとよい関係を築きつつ、ステータスをALL MAXにすることを目標にゲームを進めてみたいと思います。ということで、前情報ナシに4月を進めてみました。

ボーっと進めるとあっという間に日は過ぎますが、行けるところ、やれることは意外に多い。そこで効率よく1日を過ごすため、1週間のスケジュールを決めることに。これで5月末までにはステータスもランクアップしつつ、コミュの2つくらい最大ランクにできそうという手ごたえを受けました。いや余裕かな？時間余るかもしれない。

よし、もう1回最初からやりなおそう！⋯⋯その前にこのデータを使って5月末までのカレンダーを確認しながら具体的な1週間のローテーションを解説していきましょう。

1.【コミュは平日に集中する】

神社でさい銭を入れると学力が上がるのなら毎日通��ほうがいいと予想し「神社～コミュ～カラオケ (金土は喫茶店)」という平日休日共通の基本行動を立てる (しかし直後にやってきたのはGW⋯⋯4連休)。

2.【上げるコミュは固定する】

一点集中したほうがコミュの上がりがいいんじゃないかと予想し散々悩んだ結果、4月末までに手に入るコミュから「クラスメイト」と「古本屋」を選び出し固定することにしました。

そして日は流れて試験前週間。いつものように友近と帰ろうと思ったら⋯⋯あれ、席にいない。校内をうろうろしていたら玄関で立ちつくしている友近を見つけ声をかけると⋯⋯。

「試験前だから帰って勉強する」とのこと。⋯⋯え？友近寄り道なし？へぇ～スケジュールによって行動が変わるんだ～。それじゃ古本屋行こうっと。 それによって集中的にランクが上がる老夫婦のコミュ。2つを同時進行してると、こういうときに便利です。同じ学校の生徒じゃこうはいかなかったですね。

そして中間試験開始⋯⋯って試験中は何も行動できないの!？

ちょっと待って、このままだとコミュの2つくらい最大ランクどころか1つもムリだよ！

ビックリよりガッカリが先にきた試験期間が終わると、さっそく成績発表が⋯⋯掲示板に貼り出されましたので見に行くと、「わりと上位だった」。

⋯⋯わりと上位。うーん、もう少し学力上げてたら1位とれたのかな。気になるなぁ⋯⋯。

思った以上に散々な結果だったので、こうなったらローテーションの変更はせずに、狙うコミュも変えないで作戦の練り直しだけしてリトライ決行！その作戦がどういう結果をもたらすのか、次回をお楽しみに！

Long Interview

ロングインタビュー

キャラクターの性格はそれぞれ題���がつけられるくらいプロファイリングしました

各キャラクターの性格などは、どのようにして決められたのでしょうか？

橋野 : 最初、スタッフにいろいろ設定を出してもらったんですけど、どうにも型にハマったものばかりで⋯⋯。パターンみたいなものも必要な部分はあると思いますが、それだと中身が薄くなってしまう気がしたんです。それで、設定の担当者と心理学の本を見たりしながら性格づ けをしたのですが、決まってみたら結構型にハマったキャラクターで、世の中のキャラクターものはよくできてるなぁと思いました (笑)。

副島 : プロファイリングはしましたね。最終的には、社員だったり知り合いだったりがイメージモデルになったりしているんですけど。それだけに、いろいろ設定もありましたが、カットされました。最初は順平がビッグスクーターに乗っているって設定もあったんですよ (笑)。

女性のメインキャラ4人中3人がショートカットなのにはなにか理由が？

副島 : とくに意識はしてないのですが、昔からショートカット好きと言われていたので (笑)。女性キャラといえば、ゆかりは最初すごく嫌味な性格だったんですよ。

橋野 : 順平とゆかりは、今でこそ主人公の代弁者という役づけがされていますけど、初期のころ��暗いわねたむわで、今の素直な感じは見当たりませんでした。美鶴に通信で敵を倒してこいって言われたあと「なんなのよ⋯」とか (笑)。あと、美鶴はベタベタの生徒会長ですけど、真田も最初は情けない男だったんですよ。ただ、初期のゆかりと真田は当初の設定がスタッフに大不評で⋯⋯。やっぱり女性のファンの方にも楽しんでほしいので、真田には真田なりの戦う理由をつけて、修正していきましたね。

副島 : 逆に風花は最初からもめることなく、静かなキャラとして作られていきましたね。RPGだと、みんな戦えてソロになっても全然戦える人ばかりじゃないですか。だけど、直接戦えないけど情報解析で助けてくれるというキャラがいることで、仲間としての連帯感が生まれるかなって ことで風花が作られたんです。

橋野 : 最初は、風花だけ危険がないよねってことで、風花が殺されかけるみたいなイベントもあったんです。ただ、時間やボリュームの問題で泣く泣くカットしました。その名残といえるイベントがあるので、プレイしていてそういうシーンがあったら、ニヤリとできると思いますよ。そのぶんというわけではありませんが、風花のセリフ(※7)は全キャラ中で一番多くなりました。セリフのパターンもかなりあるので、あたりも楽しんでもらえればと思います。

ゆかりと真田は当初スタッフに大不評なキャラでした

[aquanutart]

desert flygon

[miamicommune]

so annoying to me that like. the older the artist is the higher the chance that when their art is posted online it'll be high resolution

[ourstarsystem]

whenever i bring up my research project to someone who's a bit older and entrenched in the academic spaces i have to hold back from being like "i dont think hormones have anything to do with it to be honest. for example, I have been taking testosterone and-"

[plaidcowboy]

clingy clark

( synopsis ) — after insecurely taking advice from jimmy and spending hours online, clark distances himself from you. scared he might’ve overwhelmed you with his clinginess. all for a crying clark to come back home to you.

( warnings ) — none! just an insecure, clingy clark.

( tags ) — @jordiemeow [to be added]

“Just leave them alone for a second, Clark!” Lois laughs, watching as Clark’s arms stay locked around your waist, his face practically buried in your shoulder like a big, needy golden retriever.

“Yeah, dude. Clinginess isn’t cute. I should know. I’m probably the best guy in the room when it comes to women,” Jimmy adds from beside Lois, nudging her playfully before he’s met with a sharp glare.

“Oh, shut up,” you say to Jimmy, leaning back into Clark’s hold. “Just give me a few minutes, baby. Lois and I are talking about the article.” You give his arm a quick pat before slipping out of his grip.

When you and Lois walk off toward the printing room, Clark stays behind. He frowns, glancing at Jimmy and leaning against the edge of the desk, his arms crossed.

“Do you think that’s true?” he mutters. “Do you think they get annoyed when I’m too… affectionate?”

Jimmy barely looks up. “Most definitely,” he says flatly. “I mean, come on, man. You’re like a big dog. Always all over them.. hugging, touching, laying your head on them. If I were dating you, I’d lose my mind.”

And that conversation sticks in Clark’s head longer than it should. Later that night, he’s alone in his cold, quiet room. The only light in the room comes from his computer screen. He’s slouched in front of it, arms crossed tightly over his chest as he stares at the headline on the screen:

“Are Clingy Boyfriends a Turn-Off?”

His eyes scan every word. Each line feels like a hit to the gut. And the comment section? Even worse.

voidsuites: “I dated someone like this once. It was suffocating. I couldn’t even stand next to them without their hands on me.”

jordiemeow: “Clingy partners are exhausting. So glad I got out of that relationship.”

hrtfilm: “Clingy usually means controlling. Red flag behavior, honestly. Be careful, guys.”

jclolz22: “It’s not bad at first.. but after a while, it gets annoying.”

Clark checks every box.

He was always touching you, his hands under your shirt, his chin on your shoulder, his arms around your waist, even in public. He’d pull you into his lap in front of anyone. You were a constant source of peace for him. A calm he never wanted to be without. But maybe that wasn’t how it felt to you. So he thought. So he stopped.

Over the next few weeks, he pulled back. He stopped bugging you at your desk. Stopped waiting outside the bathroom for you. Stopped finding excuses to pass by your apartment after work. No more arms slipping around your waist. No more hands brushing against yours. No more sudden, warm weight of him behind you while you were reading.

And of course, you noticed.

Clark might’ve thought he was giving you space, but you felt the shift immediately. He was always the one who made you feel grounded just when you got too lost in your own head, he’d appear out of nowhere and wrap you up in that warmth like a big blanket. Now, it felt like something important had been quietly taken away.

But being you, you didn’t say anything right away. You just kept thinking. Replaying things over and over.

Did you do something? Say something? Had you pushed him away without realizing? Why didn’t he want to hold you anymore? When was the last time he stayed over? It was driving you crazy. So you decided to fix it.

On your walk home one night, you nodded to yourself, already planning it out. You’d invite him over. Cook for him. Make his favorite, rhubarb pie, using Ma Kent’s recipe (which you were absolutely going to call her for).

But while you were lost in your head, something strange happened. A shadow passed over you. The sun was still high, the sky clear. No tall buildings around you. No trees. No reason for a shadow. So you looked up.

And there he was. Clark, flying overhead in full Superman gear, clearly trying to look casual. A blur in the sky, pretending he wasn’t watching you from above like some lovesick satellite.

You just smiled. Because you couldn’t exactly call him out in public. Superman was supposed to be busy saving people, not floating above his partner on their walk home like a weird, adorable stalker.

But the next day? That was different.

You had the day off. You were in your apartment, music playing quietly from the radio. You leaned against the counter, sliding a tray into the oven. Ma’s rhubarb pie. You were trying your absolute best to get it right before inviting Clark over for dinner.

And as you stood back and wiped your hands on your apron, your eyes drifted to the window. There it was again. That familiar blur of red and blue just outside.

You sighed, walked over to the window, and pushed it open.

“Clark,” you said dryly. “Get inside.”

He tried to pretend he hadn’t heard you at first, looking away dramatically. But eventually, he floated in, landing softly on your floor. He didn’t say much, just sat down on the couch, eyes glossy, face tight with emotion.

You stepped between his legs, placing your hands on his shoulders as he instinctively held your hips, his touch cautious.

“What happened?” you asked, gently.

“What do you mean?” he tried.

You raised your brows. Really?

“I just…” he started, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. “Jimmy said I was being too clingy. And then I read this article online. And all these comments. And I thought… maybe I was making you uncomfortable. I thought giving you space was the right thing.”

You lowered yourself into his lap, taking his hand from his face and wiping his wet cheeks with your thumbs.

“And you listened to Jimmy Olsen?” you teased softly, trying not to smile too hard.

He sniffled, nodding. “He said girls hate guys like that. And everyone online agreed. I just wanted to do right by you, baby.”

Your hands moved to cradle his face, your thumbs brushing his cheekbones as he looked up at you, big eyes full of guilt.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered.

“It’s okay, Clark,” you said, leaning in to press a kiss to his lips.

He kissed you back, slow and soft, holding onto you like he was afraid you’d disappear. When you pulled away, you stayed close, your foreheads pressed together, your breath mingling.

“I’m sorry,” he repeated, barely loud enough to hear.

“I told you it’s okay,” you murmured. “I’m not mad. I just wish you would’ve talked to me first before disappearing like that, alright?”

He nodded, still holding you close. Then suddenly, his eyes widened, nose scrunching.

“Wait… do you smell something burning?”

You blinked. “Shit. The pie.”

[emeraldincandescent]

Post on my dash about medical debt reminded me of the time tumblr saved me two grand. I don't think I told y'all about it because I am out of the habit of posting everything I do on tumblr lol

So. Last December, I had a bad cavity filled, and about a week later, I woke up with half of my face paralyzed. Which, as I'm sure you can imagine, freaked me the fuck out. Fortunately I had some level-headed Discord friends who a) told me what Bell's palsy was so I could look it up and b) reminded me to call my dentist for an emergency appointment. Dentist was also pretty sure it was Bell's palsy, but urged me to go to the emergency room to get checked out, because one-sided facial paralysis is also a possible indicator of a stroke. And you don't fuck around with strokes.

Bell's palsy, if you, like me of 6 months ago, don't know, is a harmless paralysis/muscle weakness on one side of the face that can be caused by a variety of things. It usually goes away on its own after a few weeks but also you can speed up the process with steroids.

I was pretty sure I was not having a stroke, because I'm Red Cross first aid certified and I know the symptoms of a stroke, and while one-sided facial paralysis is one of them, I didn't have any of the others. Also, I had quit my shitty job in October, which meant I had a shiny new marketplace health insurance plan and hadn't even touched my deductible. But I called my parents from the car and they urged me to get checked out and promised to help me pay off the emergency room bill if I needed it, because they're good people and they love me even if they drive me crazy sometimes. So off I went to the nearest emergency room.

Emergency room staff also didn't think I was having a stroke, because I waited ALL AFTERNOON, periodically having a new person come up to me and ask me to smile, hold both arms out to the side, press down on their hands, and tell them what month and year it was. (They don't ask who the president is anymore. Hmm, I wonder why.) One guy had me drink a cup of water while he watched. I cannot stress enough that I did not have any medical tests other than a physical examination: no CT scans or MRIs, no IV drugs or blood draws, nothing.

I get diagnosed with Bell's palsy and given a prescription for Prednisone. And then they give me a phone number and tell me to talk to this person about administrative stuff. So I call, and the dude on the phone verifies my name and date of birth and insurance information, and then he says, "It looks like your copay today is going to be $2400. How would you like to pay?"

I am, to this day, kind of impressed that he didn't even stutter over that number, but I assume working in a medical call center drains your entire soul. At this point, it's about 7pm, and I've been in the hospital since 2pm, and I'm stressed because half my face doesn't work, and I know that I can't afford $2400 because I quit my shitty job with nothing lined up back in October. But, I still remember every tumblr post I've ever read about health insurance and the medical system and how you can negotiate down a bill. I am not looking forward to this process, it sounds like a pain in the ass, but the alternative is paying $2400, so I say the magic words: "Send me an itemized bill."

I kinda expected the guy to try and get me to pay up front, but he just says "Ok" and finishes up the process. I get discharged, go to the only open pharmacy at that time of night to get my Prednisone, have the pharmacist tell me the prescription isn't written right and he can't fill it, go home, and have a screaming sobbing meltdown because I have used up every single milligram of cope in my entire body. (I got my steroids eventually, and the Bell's palsy cleared up in a couple weeks.)

A few weeks later, I get the bill in the mail. I brace myself and open it...

$300.

Turns out, after going through insurance and processing and everything, they couldn't actually find $2400 worth of stuff to charge me for. Shocking! Who could have predicted!

I might have been able to argue it down even more, but I was fed up with entire thing, so I paid the $300 just to be fucking done with it. Sometimes the cheapest way to pay is with money.

What if I had paid that $2400 up front? Do I think they would have been like, "Oh, oops!" and refunded me $2k? Well, possibly, but I am not optimistic.

So, thank you to everyone who has ever posted about navigating the US healthcare system on tumblr. Because of you, I knew how to handle this situation even when I was tired and stressed.

Don't forget to ask for an itemized bill, folks.

[wcnderlnds]

battlefield | choi su-bong (thanos)

・❥・ summary: running into your ex boyfriend during the squid games was the last thing you expected ・❥・word count: 719 ・❥・warnings: uh... usual squid game stuff. ・❥・ authors note: this is a short one just to test the waters but im obsessed with this man after watching squid game 2 <333

There he was. The last person you’d ever expected to see in this place. Player 230. Choi Su-Bong or, as the world knew him as, Thanos. The bright purple hair had been easy to spot. The last few months had been spent avoiding him so why did fate want to throw you together in this place? Wherever the hell this place was. You still weren’t even sure but as you walked up the stairs to the first game, you didn’t really care. All you wanted to do was lay low and make sure that Thanos didn’t see you. A conversation with your ex boyfriend was the last thing you wanted.

Things had ended badly between the two of you when he’d lost all his money thanks to the crypto scam. It had changed him, turned him into someone you didn’t recognise anymore so when the arguments started and his behaviour became erratic, you knew you had to get out of there. So, you did. You left and had never looked back. All you wanted was enough money to get out of the city and far, far away. There was nothing here for you anymore. If you could win the games then you could finally start fresh somewhere.

Walking through the doors onto a floor of sand and brightly coloured walls, you heard the voice of Thanos talking to his friend. Instantly, you looked down at the ground, hoping he didn’t see you. Unfortunately for you, he had stood next to you. His eyes scanned your face before recognition lit his eyes up.

“Senorita!” He said in a sing-song voice, wide grin on his face as he outstretched his arms. “What are you doing here? Come on, give me a hug.”

“None of your business and no thanks,” you rolled your eyes.

“I’m hurt,” he splayed his hand on his chest over his heart. As much as he was using his confident swagger to irritate you, deep inside he couldn’t be more glad to see you. “Not even going to give me a chance to talk, huh? That’s stone cold.”

As the rules of the game echoed through the speakers, he couldn’t take his eyes off you. His hand had raised to his friend to stop him from talking to him so he could get a proper look at you. When you had left, that had been the breaking point for him. Everything had gone downhill from there. For so long he’d been trying to seek you out, to apologise but he knew you’d been avoiding him. Your friends wouldn’t tell him where you were, your family had chewed him out the second he had showed up on their doorstep so, eventually, he’d given up. But, here you were.

As Player 456 shouted out about the game being a lie and that you were going to die, your head shot up. Surely he couldn’t be telling the truth, right? Red Light, Green Light was a children’s game. At most you were probably going to be out of the running for the cash if you were caught moving.

“He’s crazy,” Thanos said. It was his way of trying to comfort you. He had instantly noticed the slight panic in your eyes, the way you were rubbing your hands against your thighs. “Don’t listen to him.”

All you could do was nod but there was a gut feeling inside you telling you that maybe it wasn’t entirely all crazy talk. Something about this whole thing felt off. Your eyes caught some girl talking, her hands waving around then suddenly she was on the ground. Instantly, fear gripped you, your stomach dropping. The room around you started to spin – you were really going to die here.

“Hey, hey,” Thanos had reached out, his hand gripping yours as he stood in front of you, back to you. “Stay behind me. I won’t let anything happen to you. You hear me? Stay behind me.”

“But… what if…” The sheer panic in your voice made his heart clench.

“No. We’re both getting out of here alive, okay? Now, stay behind me.” His protective instinct had kicked in. Right now, he didn’t care if you hated him. All he cared about was making sure you survived this so maybe, just maybe, he could finally make things right.

[solradguy]

It's ok I put the art book on Archive so you don't have to pay us$80 to look at it ^_^ The files were sent to me by ToxicPyro, who gave me the a-ok to upload them to Archive. Shoutout to Toxic 🎉 https://archive.org/details/ggst-digital-artbook

(tho if anyone has the money/means to support the official releases please do—ASW makes merch decisions based on sales so more book sales = more art books)

Guilty Gear XX Λ Core Plus Mission illustration by Daisuke Ishiwatari. From the Guilty Gear Strive Digital Artbook.

[unreasonablerobin]

HI BARBIE

Damian Al Ghul x Girly!Reader

Synopsis: Damian and his... very girly girlfriend??

W.C: 4.3K

Tags: Fluff ♡

Something was different... everyone in the manor could tell that there was something different with Damian Al Ghul Wayne.

Considering he lived in a manor full of detectives, you really wouldn't think he'd have gotten away with his secret rendezvous.

7 months ago...

It all started with Alfred noticing new smells on his clothes as he did the laundry. At first, it seemed that Damian had simply switched to a new shampoo or maybe gotten a cologne. Then, the sharp scent of cologne started to come mixed with floral. Alfred did what any good butler would do. He ignored it. If his master wanted to indulge in wearing floral scents, he wouldn't shame him for it.

Alfred wasn't the only one who noticed the change in scent, though. Dick had been messing around with Damian in the training room. They always liked a good spar with each other. Everything was going as usual until... SNIFF

"Dude, are you wearing perfume?" Dick suddenly asked as he blocked a punch from his little brother. Damian's composure faltered for just a moment before he pulled himself together, grabbing Dick and tossing him over the shoulder. The poor vigilante was too distracted by his discovery to catch himself. He fell to the floor with a thud.

"Don't be ridiculous Grayson." The boy clicked his tongue as he began to walk out of the training room.

"It's one of those Britney Spears ones, Kori has a few," Dick said more to himself than Damian as the boy was choosing to ignore him the more words tumble out of his mouth. "Hold on don't tell, is it the pink one with the little green gems on it?"

Damian had to fight back the urge to inform him that the perfume he was thinking of was called Fantasy. He'd become quite the enthusiast simply from listening to you go on about all sorts of perfumes, and other products, sat at your vanity as he admired your reflection through the mirror.

"Why do you know so much about Britney Spears perfumes Grayson?" Damian retorted.

"Cause I have a very gorgeous girlfriend, Dams. I got her the perfume for her birthday, the bottle reminded me of her." He replied a lovesick grin already forming at the thought of his alien lover. The former assassin took the opportunity to sneak out of the training room as his older brother got lost in a train of hopeless romantic thoughts over his lover.

Once he made it back to his room he sharply inhaled. Yep, it smells like your perfume. Very clearly, like you'd jumped around spraying it before sneaking out this morning. He took a handful of his shirt and lifted it to his nose. Yep, also smells like your perfume and your setting spray. If he wanted to keep your relationship hidden from his lunatic families he'd need to do a better job of covering it, he thought to himself as he began to light any scented candles he could find. An attempt to cover your traces. One of them was a gift from you, so not entirely hiding your presence.

5 months ago...

The two of you were walking through the mall. Hands intertwined and a bundle of shopping bags in his other. He'd insisted on carrying them. No matter how ridiculous he looked. It was a funny sight. His cold hard expression paired with cute bags of clothes, makeup and a Sanrio plushie peeking out from one of them.

"Are you hungry, beloved?" Damian turned his head to face you. You pondered for a moment until your stomach decided for you by making a growling sound.

"Yes..." You said slightly embarrassed. A downturned smile spread on your face.

"Where would you like to go?" You were about to respond when your phone started ringing, a cheery pop song blared from your charm-adorned handbag.

"Sorry, one sec," you reached into the bag. Shoving all sorts of things around to get to your phone. "It's my mom, you pick I'll be back in a minute!" You stepped off to the side and answered the phone.

Damian huffed at the feeling of his empty hand as he began to scan the mall food court up ahead.

'Burger King, McDonalds, Stephanie and Cass, KFC...' He paused his train of thought. Oh shit, he didn't realise Stephanie and Cass would be here and walking towards you both, unaware of your presence.

"Mom, I promised I'd be back home for dinner. 6:30, I know," You laughed at her antics before saying your goodbyes and hanging up.

You didn't get the chance to turn around as your hand was being grabbed and you were getting dragged away.

"Damian?" you looked at the boy as he swerved between the crowds. "Is everything alright?" You watched as he occasionally looked behind the two of you. Taking a small glance back you spotted two girls you recognised from a photo he'd shown you.

"Hold on, is that Damian?" Stephanie stopped Cass in her tracks and pointed ahead. Cass looked up from her milkshake and saw the head of her little brother.

"We should go say hi! Wonder what he's doing in the mall?" Stephanie had taken Cass' arm and was pulling her towards Damian, both unaware that he wasn't alone and trying to get away from them.

Damian noticed the two getting closer and took a sharp left turn into a random clothing store. He used the clothing racks to hide from the persistent girls following them.

"Why's he gone in here?" Stephanie wondered out loud. "It's a women's clothing store." Cass shrugged her shoulders as her mind went to Dick's theory on Damian trying out more feminine things, and being ashamed of it, after the perfume incident. She thought the theory was ridiculous.

Cass looked around quickly to see if the shop was even worth spending time in, but nothing was to her taste. As she scanned the store she spotted what looked to her brother... and a girl? Sneaking into the dressing rooms.

'No, it couldn't be,' Cass thought to herself watching the figure of a boy that looked exactly like her brother disappear into a dressing room with a really pretty girl. 'Could it?'

You and Damian crammed into a little dressing room with all your shopping bags.

"So..." You began, turning to the mirror to fix any out of place hairs.

"We'll have to wait a while, they are unfortunately persistent."

"How long?"

"I do not know, beloved," He shoved your shopping bags into the corner. "Longer than you'd like, I'd imagine."

You stood in silence for a moment.

"I can think of a couple ways to pass the time..." You turned away to prevent yourself from laughing at Damian's flushed face.

3 months ago...

Damian and Jason had been giving each other a hand during patrol that night. Damian was chasing some low-life thugs and they managed to slip out of his grasp and dash all the way to Crime Alley. Thankfully Jason was there and helped him catch the guys. After dealing with them Damian stood up, a vibration surged through his pocket. He reached in about to immediately hit decline. Why would he answer the phone on patrol? That's what he thought until your face graced his peripheral. He quickly turned his back towards his brother. It was a photo of you and your closets friends. (Obviously the contact picture was only focused on you). It was taken on your birthday. You were all dolled up in makeup and a gorgeous outfit you'd insisted you needed his opinion on before going out. He was about to answer when, "Who's that?" Jason called out from behind.

'Oh Shit.' Damian thought to himself. There are so many excuses to use when your brother smells your girlfriend's perfume on you, so many ways to hide from your sisters when out on a date. How does one convince Red Hood that 'Beloved <3' isn't what it looks like? That its no one special on the other end of the line?

"No one," Damian tried his luck with lying anyways. "Mind your business!" He possessively clutched the phone to his chest. Hiding the caller ID and contact photo. That was only for him to see.

Jason stared at him through his helmet, "Uh-huh, sure," Damian could feel the bullshit look on Jason's face behind the helmet. "No one at all."

"No one for you to concern yourself with Todd, mind your business." Damian stuttered out sharply before disappearing into the night. Away from prying eyes.

Jason couldn't help but grin as he watched his brother run off, phone clutched in his hand like a lifeline.

"Idiot."

Damian had perched himself on top of an apartment building. He brought his phone in front of him and called his last missed call. You. He sat in the silence of dawn, only the buzz of his voice and the tires of some earlier commuters to be heard. Until he heard the sweet voice of his favourite person.

"Hello? Damian?" God, how did your voice sound so angelic this early in the morning, through a phone speaker?

"Good morning, beloved," He sighed contently, "Apologies for not picking up when you first called I was finishing up something." He felt at peace hearing your voice and the ruffle of your bedsheets. Even if it was only through a phone and not in person. It would do.

"Oh sorry!" You whisper yelled. The sun was only rising, your family were probably still asleep. "I didn't mean to bother, we can talk la-"

"Nonsense, you are certainly not bothering me, beloved. I'm more than happy to make time for you at any hour of the day or night." He cut you off. It was silent on your end of the line for a few moments. A couple of giggles and some sheet rustling could be heard. Damian could see it in his mind you going slightly rouge and hiding your face in the pastel duvet.

"It's just," you trailed off, "I had a stupid nightmare and I couldn't go back to sleep."

"If my presence is what you seek in order to feel safe than I will always be available." You smiled at that looking out the window by your bed.

"I will be there."

"What!?" You shot up in your bed, shrinking in on yourself when you realised how loud you were being.

"Damian, there's no need-"

"Yes there is very much need," You sighed at his persistence. "You require my comfort to fall back asleep, I know how much you enjoy your weekend sleep." You fell back k down into tour bed with a smile. He was so right. You loved your weekend lie ins.

"I am finished patrol so I will make my way to you."

"Okay, I'll see you in a few, my windows open," you bit your bottom lip for a moment, hesitation filling you, "I love you." There was silence on the other end of the line until the call ended. You looked at your phone in confusion worried you'd accidentally hit the red button or if Damian had decided he actually hated you. A shadow replacing the sunrise light that had been beaming onto you stopped your train of thought. You looked up to see Robin perched on your windowsill. Strategically, as to not damage your flower boxes.

"I love you too." He whispered before he crawled through the window, landing on your bed.

2 months ago...

Damian was sat in the back of the Batcave as Bruce and Tim discussed something about an ongoing case. He was cleaning one of his katanas. Deciding it was clean enough he picked it up and set it to the side. A small sound of metal hitting metal made the two detectives perk up. The sound came again as Damian picked up another blade to clean. Tim turned his head ever so slightly to glance at the boy and in the corner of his eyes, he spotted it. A small ring on his left hand. He gave a small glance to Bruce, who was still staring at the screen before him, but he could tell the scrunch of his face wasn't from the confusion of the case. Damian completely unaware of his brother's and father's change in demeanour continued to clean his blades. The metal ring subtly caught the light as he carefully rubbed the cloth against the sharp edge of the blade. A gentle smile graced his face as he stared at the ring. His mind wandered back to the day he gave you the promise ring. He knew you'd love it but he was still so nervous. He would rather die than let anyone know that though. Little whispers snapped him out of his thoughts. Looking up he spotted Tim leaning in towards Bruce muttering something.

"Can I say something?" Tim questioned in a hushed teasing tone.

"No, you can not." Bruce sternly replied, folding his arms across his chest.

"Oh come on," Tim looked from him to his brother out of the corner of his peripheral. "You can't not be curious about what's up with him?"

Bruce gave the young detective a quick glance before returning to the screen with CCTV footage playing.

"Of course I am, but it is none of our business." He said curtly. "Damian is very capable and I trust that he is independent and mature enough to do as he pleases."

Tim sighed in response to that. He'd have to lay off on the teasing for now, but just know that when he gets a moment alone with his little brother he will become the biggest pain in the ass.

Damian couldn't help but let his smile grow back after hearing his father's words. He spun the ring around his finger for a brief moment before setting his blades aside and exiting the cave.

1 month ago...

Another rare day where you manage to spend the day in Wayne Manor. Today was much easier than all the others. Dick was in his apartment with Kori'ander, Bruce and Tim were away on company business, the girls were all out, and Jason was god knows where. You didn't really care if they were in the Manor or on the other side of the world at this moment. You were sprawled on top of your boyfriend in his bed. Nothing could possibly ruin this day for you. Your head was rested on his chest, listening to his rhythmic heartbeat. His hand held yours and the other played with the ends of your hair. You both layed in the silence of the day as you quite literally watched paint dry. Over on his desk, which was supposed to be used for homework and not art or makeup, like it you had previously been using it for. Two small paintings lay drying; one of batcow and the other of a sunset. A huff of laughter from the chest beneath you made you look up.

"What?"

"There is paint on your face, beloved."

You shot up from his body and where about to run into the bathroom. Damian gently grabbed into your face. The red paint streaks where mostly dry now so he was easily able to rub them off. Even when your face was paint free, you both sat there, your face in his hands and his thumb caressing your skin.

"You are so beautiful, Habibti." You stared with a lovestruck look right back at his lovesick one. He leaned in a little closer.

"May I?" He asked, ever the gentleman. You nodded.

He brought his lips to yours not caring about the sticky sensation of your lip gloss. You sighed into the kiss and brought your hands up to rest of his. They slid down and held onto his wrists. Neither of you would get Iver this feeling. The butterflies, your lips on eachother, the fear that enters your body when you hear a knock of the door. Oh my god. You immediately pulled away.

"Master Damian," Alfred's muffled voice came through the door. "Would like some cookies? They are freshly baked."

"No thanks, Pennyworth." Damian quickly replied. There was an uncomfortable silence for a second before-

"Would your friend like some?" Both of your eyes bulged out and your jaws dropped.

"I won't tell, no need to fret!"

You looked to Damian nervously, who nodded his head, telling you that Alfred really meant what he said.

"Yes please!" You piped up. You could smell those cookies and my god, you wanted them so bad.

"Very well, I'll prepare them and some tea." Alfred laughed before heading back to the kitchen.

Present...

Yesterday had been another one of those rare days where nobody was in the manor, so you had come over and Damian persuaded you to stay the night.

You sleepy made your way into the bathroom attached to his room. Deciding it was time to get ready for the day. Your eyes scanned the counter top covered in skincare and makeup products left here overtime by you. You couldn't help but smile thinking of all the smalls ways you two had been intertwining your life's. You had things in his place, he had things in yours, he carried hair ties for you and you carried bandages for him. It was simple and sweet. It got you thinking about why he didn't want you to meet his family as you did your skincare. He'd met yours, plenty of time at that. He'd spent the night, he'd had dinner with them, hell you're mom bought him an Easter egg! You swore up and down to yourself he didn't have any problem with you or his family. Now picking up your primer you couldn't help but be confused. Why is he so desperate to hide you and your relationship? You shook the thoughts away when you spotted your frown in the mirror, now just focusing on getting ready.

An hour had passed and Damian was awake. He could hear you in the bathroom as he rolled over in the now cold bed.

"Babe, can you help me?" You softly called out as you nudged the bathroom door open. "I can't get my earing in." You informed with you hands at your ear.

He got up from his bed a maneuvered you back into the bathroom, where the lighting was good, shutting the door behind him.

"I can't get it through, it shouldn't be closed up though!" You handed him the earing and stood beside him under the ceiling light.

He tilted your head and began what would be an annoyingly long process of trying to perform the simple task of getting a piece of metal through a hole.

Alfred was in the middle of cooking breakfast and asked Dick to go wake his brother up. Unaware that you were still here. You usually snuck out earlier but you're phone was dead when you woke up so you never checked the time.

Dick trecked up the stairs, past Jason leaving his room and towards Damian's. He softly knocked on the door before swinging it open.

"Uh, Jason?"

"What?" Jason grumbled at the end of the hallway.

"Who's phone is that?" Dick asked pointing towards a phone that definitely wasn't his brother's. Unless he'd taken a sudden liking to charms and bows.

Jason sleepy stared at Dick until the image of Damian's phone with a picture of a girl and suspicious caller ID appeared in his head. Now he was sprinting towards his brother's room.

Jason and Dick stood in the doorway examining the unknown phone plugged in and rested on the nightstand. Jason gasped and pointed at a woman's bag, say on the floor, leaning against the desk leg. Dick dramatically took hold of Jason and put a finger to his lips. He then pointed to the bathroom door.

"Damian it's fine!"

"I don't want to hurt you!"

"It's not going to hurt, babe I promise!"

A girl? Babe!?

This had Dick and Jason turning to eachother, shock written all over their faces as they sprinted to the stairs.

Bruce, Tim, Stephanie and Cass were all sat at the dining table. Bruce was reading the newspaper, Tim was chugging a coffee, Stephanie was talking to Cass while they waited for the other three boys. Same as every morning. At least it was, until-

"Damian has a girlfriend!" Dick shouted like he was the final girl just after discovering who the killer was.

"She's upstairs!" Jason skidded into the kitchen behind him.

Alfred froze, as he watched Tim and Stephanie sprint faster than he'd ever seen before. Dick and Jason following right behind them. Cass subtly followed. She didn't want to be nosy but... she needed to know! Her suspicions were driving her crazy ever since the mall. Bruce sighed, folding up the newspaper and setting it down before heading up to Damian's room as he heard screaming.

You were mortified. Six people just barged into the room and saw you in your pyjamas; your underwear and one of Damian's shirts. You screamed and immediately bolted back into the bathroom. You were panicking. Damian didn't want you to meet his family and you just did it in the worst way possible. Half naked and screaming. What a way to meet the future in-laws. You caught a glimpse of yourself in the mirror as you slid to the floor. Atleast your hair and makeup look good.

"Drake, what the fuck!?" Damian yelled.

"Hold on, why am I the only one getting yelled at?" Tim retorted.

Stephanie nudged his shoulder. "You scared her stupid!"

"We barged in at the same time!"

"You're a guy!"

Damian stood there with a frustrated expression watching Tim and Stephanie bicker and the rest of his family pile in. Cass's small smile at him help him relax a little, but only a little. And just for a moment, cause then Dick and Jason piped up.

"So..." Dick began. "Who is she?"

"None of your business."

"That's what you told me when someone named 'beloved' called you on patrol." Jason chimed in with a teasing tone. Damian could only stare at more frustration than before. His cheeks began to flush and that just passed him off more. Stephanie wasn't helping with her "awww's in the background. Damian was about to scream for them to all get out, get physical with Tim if he needed to.

“Damian.”

Everyone turned towards the stern, deep voice in the doorway. Bruce stepped forward to his youngest son.

"Father," Damian started a tangent before Bruce even had a chance to say anything more. "Her name is Y/n. We have been dating for 8 months, and I love her. No matter your approval or disapproval I will continue to see her." Damian informed his father in a stern and determined tone.

“If it’s alright with you I would like to meet her. Properly.” He requested. “I believe the rest would also like to meet her.” Damian didn’t know how to respond. He thought his father would have a bigger reaction to lying and sneaking around with a girl. Especially considering the occupations of everyone present.

“Of course only if she’s alright with it as well.” Bruce added with a light smile.

"Allow me to check." Bruce ushered all of his children out of the young boy's room.

Once they’d all left he slid into the bathroom where you were still sat on the floor.

“Habibti,” he called out softly. “We don’t have to go down there if you don’t want to.” He knelt in front of you.

“No! I want to, I’d love to meet your family.” You countered quickly. “Only if that’s okay with you, I don’t want to overstep.”

“Whatever you want, beloved.” He said with a smile identical to his father’s.

You were now dressed and sat beside Damian at the Wayne dining table. All of the Wayne's were staring at you. It wasn't daggers or disgust. You'd figured it was curiosity.

"How the hell did you even meet?" Jason asked the first question.

"School." Damian answered coldly.

"No offence, but I didn't expect you to end up with someone so..." Dick trailed off as he swung is fork around as if it would conjure up the words he wad looking for.

"Girly?" You suggested. "I get it, you probably thought he'd end up with someone like yourselves."

Everyone at the table felt a bead of sweat drop from their foreheads.

"What?" Stephanie asked with a nervous laugh.

"She knows." They all snapped their necks to look at Damian and then their father at the head of the table.

He sighed, "Damian I trust that you thought about all this before giving us away?"

"Of course I did. Do not suggest that they are not trustworthy." Bruce and Damian had a bit of a stare off. While that was happening Stepahine had kicked Tim out of his chair beside you.

"You're hair is so gorgeous! What do you use?" She asked as she held a strand in her palm.

"Oh, I cannot think of the name! But there's some up in Damian's bathroom, I'll show it to you."

Dick leaned over the table, "I thought I was going crazy when I started smelling perfumes off him!" You laughed at his comment.

"What do you use? It smells similar to the one Kori uses."

You began to chat with the vigilantes about all sorts of things. Telling Cass and Stephanie about the products you use and where you shop, listening to stories about Dick and Kori. Jason chimed in with a few book recommendations and reviews after learning you like to read. Quickly you found yourself having conversations with all the Waynes like it was as easy as breathing. As you were laughing at some Internet joke you and Tim were discussing, you spotted a poute on your boyfriend's face. And it finally clicked.

Damian Al Ghul was jealous of his own family.

He kept your relationship a secret and avoided introducing you for so long because he didn't want them to steal your attention.

You couldn't help but smile at that.

A/N: First piece published!! I welcome back feedback with open arms. Please just don't take this opportunity to be rude. I'd love to know if I write ooc or if my grammars incorrect, ect.

Shout out to Damian Al Ghul my gatekeeping king🙏

[holeforzenin]

𝜗𝜚˚⋆ PRANKING ROOMMATE TOJI THAT YOU’RE MOVING OUT FOR APRIL FOOLS

Toji stepped through the front door, the familiar heavy thud of his leather boots clomping and echoing on the tiled floor. He dropped his keys with a clang and sighed as he leaned against the doorframe, clearly worn out from the day.

“Hey Toji,” you said as you stood by the doorway, trying to sound as calm and collected as possible, “Can we talk for a second?”.

His eyes narrowed slightly and you could tell he was already on alert because of the serious detection in your tone. “Yeah, what is it? You sound a bit too serious”.

You took a deep breath, practically forcing yourself to stay composed. “I’ve been thinking…” You hesitated for a moment, searching his face before finally saying it. “I think it’s time for me to move out”.

He blinked, clearly caught off guard. Ever since you’ve moved in together, things had been easy and comfortable. You two got along well, no drama, no issues, so this came out of nowhere.

His brow furrowed as he set his work bag down. “Wait, what? Why? You serious?”

You nodded slowly, watching his expression shift to disarray and confusion, maybe even a flicker of something else you couldn’t quite place.

“Yeah,” you said, keeping your tone steady. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while now. I’ve already started looking at places… I just think it’s time for a change”.

For a second, he didn’t say anything. He just stared at you, his tired and weary eyes scanning your face. You could see him trying to figure out if you were joking or not. After a beat, he stepped closer, his voice dropping a little. “Hold on. You’re really gonna just leave? Just like that?”

You nodded again, trying to keep up the act. “Yeah. I don’t want to be a burden, you know? With your job and everything… it’s just better if I go”.

He didn’t move at first, his arms crossed tightly, like he was trying to process what you said. You could see the gears turning in his head, his usual confident demeanor slipping just a little.

His jaw tightened, his broad shoulders looking even more imposing as he walked over to you. You could feel the tension building, and you had to hold back a grin. Toji was a tough guy— tougher than most people but right now, you could see the concern flickering in his eyes. It was working and he looked so so defeated but also trying his best to keep himself up.

“Look,” he finally said, his voice low and gentle. “I don’t know what’s going on but you don’t need to leave. I— shit if it’s rent, I can help you out more. You don’t gotta go. We can work something out y/n”.

For a moment, you almost felt bad— he sounded so sincere like he was genuinely trying to figure out how to fix things. You wanted to laugh at how serious he was because you had never really seen this side of him before but you held back. It was almost too easy.

You let the silence hang in the air before you dropped the bomb. With a smirk, you leaned back and said, “April Fools”.

Toji froze, his eyes blinking rapidly as if trying to process what you just said. Then slowly, his expression shifted. He let out a sharp sigh, clearly annoyed as fuck but mostly relieved. “You’re a pain in the fucking ass, you know that?”

You burst out laughing, clutching your stomach because of how funny it was. “You should’ve seen your face. You totally fell for it!”

“You little brat,” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head with a light chuckle. He took a step closer and before you knew what was happening, he reached down and squeezed your cheek— hard enough to make your face squish between his fingers.

“Next time you pull something like that, I’ll get you back,” he warned, his voice playful but more relaxed. You gasped, flailing a little as you tried to push his bigger hand away. “Oww! Hey! You can’t just—”

Toji laughed, obviously pleased with the reaction. “Don’t fuck with me, kid. You’re lucky I even like you”.

You rubbed your cheek, half amused and half annoyed. “That was mean!” you whined, still trying to fight the grin that was spreading across your face. He gave you a knowing look. “You deserve it, I thought I was losing my mind for a second there”.

You rolled your eyes, though you couldn’t keep the smile from creeping up on your face. “Just wait until next time. I’ll get you back even more”.

Toji gave you a pointed look, just relieved that you’re even implying there’s gonna be a next time. He walked over to the fridge to grab a beer to calm his nerves. “You’ve got some nerve pulling that on me in the first place, I’ve had a long day, kid”

You grinned, but your heart skipped a little. It was moments like these— his teasing, the soft side of him that made living with Toji so entertaining and easy.

You knew he wasn’t actually mad. In fact, you could tell he was secretly impressed that you even pulled it off.

“Next time I pull a prank, it’s gonna be worse so watch out, old man,” you teased. “Yeah yeah, sure,” he muttered, cracking open the beer. “We’ll see about that”.

[foldingfittedsheets]

One of the most memorable speeches I've ever heard was given at my beloved's graduation. They attended a pretty crunchy school natural medicine. They went for acupuncture but they also had many degrees including nutrition, naturopathic medicine, and most importantly to this story: midwifery.

The common consensus across campus was that the midwives operated on their own frequency which is a nice way to say they were usually really weird, even by the standards of a pretty alternative crowd of people. Not weird in a bad way. But weird nonetheless. They straddled the boundary between life and death and it changed them.

I had never experienced a midwife before the ceremony which is why I didn't think anything of the fact that a midwife stepped up to give the graduation speech. My friends nearby had a stir of repressed amusement and elbowing each other which did puzzle me slightly.

The speech began as a story, which I heartily approved of. The midwife related an experience in which a woman told her that during her first birth she had screamed too much and used up her energy in that instead of pushing and the midwife, to the collective masses assembled to watch a solemn ceremony, said, "I told her this time she would need to scream with her vagina."

The audience was slightly stunned by this, myself included. I scanned the crowd to see dropped jaws and wide eyes. It was such a bold statement to make in an academic setting and no one quite knew what to make of it.

The midwife continued unperturbed.

She related that many dads didn't know what to do during the birthing process and that this particular dad chose to chant over and over, "You're gonna be huge, you're gonna be huge," as his wife screamed with her vagina to birth their child. The midwife mused that she didn't know if he was talking to their child or his wife or if he even registered what he was saying in that moment.

Then the subject strayed toward how the student body had strained and striven toward this goal, this endgame that was the result of sleepless nights, hard work, and camaraderie. The speech seemed to have moved onto more solid ground and traditional graduation reminiscences. The crowd settled, thinking the worst had passed.

But as the midwife wrapped up she said, "As you go forth into the world, pushed out by this noble institution to help the masses, just remember one thing," she paused and the audience held their breath while the beat drew out before she finally whispered:

"You're gonna be huge."

There was a roar of astonished laughter as her speech neatly tied their graduation into a metaphor for being birthed unto the world and we finally understood the point of her anecdote.

The speech lives in infamy in all our collective memories. Years later my beloved's dad will still be like, "Remember that bizarre graduation speech?"

And it was. It was bizarre. But I'll say this. I've attended a lot of graduations, and I don't remember any of the speeches half so well as I do that one.

[chrlisangels]

𝐁𝐎𝐁 𝐑𝐄𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐒 𝐀𝐒 𝐀 𝐁𝐅

constantly following you around the tower like a lost puppy to the point the other avengers start just assuming he’s always where ever you are. (he usually is)

“is your little puppy with you? its usually the time me and him train.” bucky asks as he walks into the common room.

“why do you always assume he’s with me?!?” you practically cut yourself off mid sentence with a laugh “but no he’s not, he’s in that beanbag thingy reading that new book yelena bought him.”

bucky nods “ya know that’s really surprising right?” you cut off his laugh with a throw pillow to his face.

he’s not new to relationships, i mean he had a few back in florida but this is the first one he’s completely sober for, one he wants to last so bad cause he loves you much.

he’s such a clingy person, not in a bad way just a he wants to consume you whole being way. like cant sleep without him being in your arms or vice versa.

“bobbb” you groan as you try to push him off you to no avai, “wake up baby! we need to get up for training..” you trail off.

“be quiet and stop moving please, ya know im trying to sleep here!” bob mumbles his voice all groggy.

you let out a soft groan leaning you head back against the pillow before continuing to try to push him off (the sentry strength sucks ass when it comes to trying to get him off) “bob seriously i love you and your clingy self but we seriously need to get up before john comes in here again like last time to get us up.”

“you my pillow sweetheart and pillows don’t talk so shushh..”

loves cooking for you well he cooks for the team but he doesn’t do it because the team loves his cooking and they lowkey expect it but he does it because he knows how happy it makes you.

he totally just buys you flowers for no reason! theres this cute flower shop that’s down the block from the tower and he’s definitely a frequent customer.

“what are these flowers for this time?” the florist teases as she scans the flowers “is it cause she breathed your way? maybe she called you pretty?”

“nooo.” bob drags out while shaking his head “im getting them just because, i mean shes great so yeahh.” he says as a smile graces his lips.

“well thats certainly very sweet of you. she sure is lucky to have a guy like you in her life, you totals $15.99 by the way.” she says as she hands bob back the flowers.

bobs definitely a experienced guy i mean he was addicted to meth and due to research i’ve learned it can make you very horny so i think he takes sex very personal because i mean during his past experiences he was high, he wasn’t fully coherent to experience it as well so when things get streamy (i hate that word) between you guys hes very sweet i wouldn’t say vanilla but hes not gonna hurt you, he wont hit you, he may be a bit rough but not enough that would cause pain.

lei lei’s notes… this is inspired after lacyydollette post for s2!rafe as a bf !! um lewis pullman brainrot has taken over and i am in love with this man <3 also this got a little nsfw at the end so this is 18+ i guess

[st7rnioioss]

WHEN BSF!CHRIS CAN'T KEEP HIS HANDS AND THOUGHTS OFF INEXPERIENCED!READER ₊˚⊹ ᰔ

˚𝜗𝜚 warnings... grinding, smut, p in v, unprotected sex (don't do this!!), kissing ˚࿔ notes: i'd like to say beforehand this is a little further into their relationship! I'll add more background stuff later<33

chris was restless. he continued to toss and turn in your bed, finally settling on his side, one arm slung around you waist while gently tugging you closer to him, pressing your back flush against his chest while you were sleeping peacefully.

he tried to doze off, he really did. but sleep seemed like the furthest thing away when he laid there, listening to your soft breathing, as the only currently audible noise, feeling the way your chest rose and fell under his touch.

his mind was running a million miles an hour, and he couldn’t get it to stop. it was dirty, wrong thoughts—about you. his best friend since.. well, for as long as he could remember. it had become something more usual, but this time he couldn’t control it.

you’d always been attached to the hip, but never once had he thought about you like this. never had he wondered what you’d look like naked, vulnerable under him.. okay, maybe a few times, but never to this extent. you'd only gone as far as him showing you how to finger yourself properly, where he took over the job because he couldn't resist.

how would you react to his touch? would you reach for his hair? his arms? would you grab the sheets instead? what did your moan sound like?

the real question was why on earth he was having these dirty thoughts about you. you were the sweetest girl he’d ever laid his eyes on, so sweet it gave him a toothache whenever you’d innocently bat your eyes at him, begging him to go get ice cream with you.

gosh, make it stop, he thought to himself, groaning when he snaked his other hand down to try and ease his rock-hard cock, which only seemed to make it worse, hardening even more under his own touch.

he didn’t know what to do, and only to worsen his panicked state, you started turning, his arm momentarily slipping from your waist when you faced him.

your eyes were thankfully still shut, lips in a soft pout from the pillow pushing them together. the sight didn’t help either. nothing helped him ease his raging hard boner. you laid there, so pure, unknowing of his sinful thoughts while your peaceful, gentle look only made the tight restrain in his boxers worse.

sleep was out of reach by now, his hand desperately trying to relieve his aching cock with a groan by carefully rubbing his palm over the bulge—but then your eyes fluttered open. he stared down at you with widen eyes, almost in disbelief that he’d been caught somewhat rubbing himself through his pants, but you didn’t seem to notice right away.

“are you okay?” your soft voice was heard. “you seem restless..” yeah, his constant tossing and groaning woke you up, but not enough to fully comprehend the situation chris was in.

“i- i can’t sleep. that’s all,” he whispered back, blinking rapidly while your eyes scanned his face, roaming every feature you were so familiar with.

speculating about his somewhat unsure answer, your eyes made their way down his chest when he let another whine slip, noticing the way his palm pressed against his groin, and you immediately felt ten times more awake than you were before. heat rushed to your face, before your eyes met chris's desperate gaze.

“oh..” you quipped, suddenly hyper aware of every movement of his, every desperate groan you’d heard behind you just moments prior now making much more sense.

“p-please, just- just let me.. let me put it in,” chris pleaded miserably, letting his free hands knuckles brush over your reddening cheek, his touch gentle as ever.

“chris- no, we can’t..” your answer only made his dick harden, though it seemed fucked up. you were so damn innocent, a prude even. you’d always avoided the topic of sex, not daring to go down that path ever. but he knew that when it came to him, you could bend the rules. “please- i’ll make it quick, i’ll just put the tip in. it hurts so fucking bad,”

but something about the situation caused you to turn curious. chris begging for your touch, begging to let him do something about his hard erection, to touch you.

“okay..” attentively, you turned around to lay in your previous position on your side, chris's hand slipping from the front of his shorts, letting out a deep sigh of relief.

“thank you, thanks- thank you,” he babbled, his clammy hands making their way to the elastic waistband of your sleep shorts, slowly pushing them down your thighs, until they pooled around your ankles, that you continued to gently kick off.

“i promise i’ll be careful, just the tip..” his breath fanned across your neck, making a soft gasp slip from your lips.

your eyes were wide open and lips parted when he hooked his hand under your thigh, gently lifting it to spread them apart, carefully placing your leg back down as if you were made of fragile porcelain.

“o-okay..” you spoke quietly, your breath hitching when his finger made contact with your panties, gently tugging them to the side. “already so wet f’me..” his voice was husky against your ear, lips grazing the sensitive skin as his thumb slowly ran between your slick folds, a weak moan falling from your parted lips.

you were driving him insane, already dripping for him, and it only took a couple right touches and words. oh, how bad he wanted to keep showing you how to feel good, let alone be the first one to. he'd already gotten his fair share on that part.

you’ve never been more nervous, but yet you felt safe with chris pressed so close up against you. it was chris after all, he’d never do anything to hurt you, plus, he was always so gentle with you whenever it came to stuff like this. your hands tugged the stuffed animal you usually slept with to your chest, nuzzling your nose into the neck of the teddy, the soft material under your fingertips easing your mind a little.

“i’ll be gentle, angel.. no need to worry,” he whispered, one of his hands maneuvering his shorts down mid-thigh, along with his boxers, the other one gently running down the side of your face, tugging a few strands of hair behind your ear.

he wrapped his palm around his cock, fisting his cock with a lewd moan, before bringing the head of his cock to your entrance.

“i’ll put it in now.. it’s just the tip, don’t panic..” he mumbled, pressing a reassuring series of kisses to the side of your neck, feeling you nod. “go- go ahead..”

those words was all he needed, gently smearing his sticky tip down your soaked folds, before pressing it forward, watching it disappear inside of you.

“holy- holy fuck..” he groaned between gritted teeth, his fingers gripping at your hip, a weak gasp elicited from your mouth. “oh, chris..”

your moan was silenced from the soft teddy in your arms, eyes fluttering shut at the slow intrusion, letting whines fall from your lips.

chris nearly lost his mind when he felt your walls squeeze around his tip—it took every fiber in his body not to stuff you full of his cock, not to completely ignore your previous, innocent words and start fucking into you.

“gosh- chris..” you whined, nails digging into the soft fur under your hands.

you could practically feel the desperation seep out of him from behind you, his throbbing dick just aching to be inside you.

“m’sorry angel, sorry.. i can’t hold back, please say something-“ chris's voice was strained with despair, his fingertips digging into your bare hip, smoothing his palm over your thigh.

“it’s- its okay..” you whispered, words somewhat muffled, but coherent. he was thankful almost, mumbling continuous praise and ‘thank you’ into your ear, smoothing his palms down your sides, under your top.

it sure was okay, he could tell. you were drooling around his tip, only making it easier to slide right in—which he did. holding tightly onto you, leaving kisses down your neck and back, he pushed his cock further inside of you, slowly.

“h-halfway, baby.. you’re doing so good,” he husked, his heart pounding in chest as he stilled his movements for a minute, allowing you to adjust.

you couldn’t keep quiet, eyes rolling to the back of your head while they fell shut, biting down onto the plush toy to restrain the moans. yet, pornographic whimpers slipped from your gritted teeth from the painful yet delicious stretch, making chris's head turn to mush.

“fuck.. you’re so perfect,” he hissed, sinking his length in until he was fully sheathed inside your heat with a sigh of relief.

blubbered moans fell shamelessly from the both of your lips as he slowly rutted against you, a hint of pain striking through you as you adjusted to his size.

you knew it was wrong. so, so wrong. friends didn’t do this, they really didn’t. what was gonna happen after this? would you just go to bed and wake up just usually tomorrow, just treating it as a favor?

but even though, you never wanted it to stop. his soft touch, lips continuing their work on your lower neck, stuffing you full of his cock when he rolled his hips.

“does it hurt?” he purred, his hot breath mingling on your neck, making a slight shiver run down your spine.

“no… chris, it feels- feels good,” you breathlessly whimpered, gripping the plush animal between your arms as if your life depended on it, listening to the dirty squelching of your pussy, basically drooling onto the soft material between your lips.

he only nodded, feeling your walls flutter around his cock, clenching and squeezing the life out of him. your back arched just slightly when he hit a specific spot within you, moaning loudly into the stuffed toy.

“y-you’re doing so well.. so beautiful,” he cooed, the praise going straight to the pit in your tummy, feeling the tension tighten as your teeth nibbled on the soft plushie.

“oh- oh my god..” without any warning, the waves came crashing over you, your chest heaving while your grip loosened on the soft plushie in your arms.

“jesus christ,” he panted, his slow but rhythmic thrusts continuing, until he reached his climax as well.

“shit- i’m gonna come,” he barely got to say, before the ropes of white spilled inside of you, letting out a shaky breath at the release of tension. you felt limp in his hold, your face growing hot, and heart racing with lidded eyes.

“thank you, thank you angel,” his breath hitched as he slowly pulled out. his pink lips left repeated kisses to the side of your face, listening intently to your breath regulating gradually, the pants turning back to the soft breaths he’d been listening to just moments prior.

you let a small smile break, nuzzling your nose back into the teddy bear to hide your blushing face, as if your back wasn’t turned to him. “it’s fine…”

his fingers danced across your waist, making their way to your hip, giving it a gentle pat as a dazed smile settled onto his lips.

“come on, pretty.. we gotta go pee,”

more bsf!chris x inexperienced!reader

𝜗𝜚˚࿔ notes: none:3

۶ৎ taglist: @jetaimevous @missmimii @mattscoquette @pearlzier @witchofthehour @elizasturn @loveparqdise @delilahsturniolo @phone4pills @sturnsmia @hearts4werka @cayleeuhithinknott @strnilolover @sturnvxz @lovergirl4gracieabrams @ifwdominicfike @toftomgmf @emely9274 @sturnioloangell @blushsturns @forgottxen @slut4chris888 @marrykisskilled @sophand4n4 @sturnihoelooo @forgottxen @chrisslut04 @sturniolossss @slvtf0rchr1s @blahbel668

© ST7RNIOIOSS est. 2023

[itneverendshere]

LOVED YOU AT YOUR WORST - r.c series - ONE

pairings: ex!sweethearts; rafe x thornton!reader; rafe x sofia. chapter warnings: none (angst) chapter two┆ chapter three ┆ chapter four

The bass from the speakers rattled the glass in your hand as you leaned against the porch railing, eyes scanning the backyard for him—Rafe.

It had been a long month.

Longer than you thought it would be. Usually, when you and Rafe had your little “breaks,” they lasted about a week, maybe two at most. It was always something stupid, a screaming match that ended with slammed doors and his truck peeling out of your driveway. But it never lasted. It couldn’t. You’d known each other too long, been through too much, and deep down, there was this unspoken truth—he’d always come back.

But this time was different.

This time, he wasn’t calling or showing up at your window in the middle of the night, eyes tired and sorry, pulling you into his arms. The space between you had been growing wider since his dad died. And sure, maybe it was your fault for what you said after Ward’s death—But it was the truth.

Still, you hadn’t expected him to shut you out completely. Two months. Two months of silence. And the only thing you’d heard about him since was through Ruthie, Topper’s new girlfriend, of all people. A random comment at Mase’s place—something about how Rafe had been hanging around some pogue girl named Sofia.

You’d rolled your eyes at that.

Rafe? With some Pogue? Yeah, right.

You pretended not to care when she tossed it out like it was nothing.

You weren’t stupid.

You’d always known Rafe wasn’t the easiest guy to love. He was complicated, angry—but so were you. And in some messed-up way, that’s why you two worked. Or at least, why you thought you did. You were just as stubborn, just as damaged. But now, as you sipped your drink and looked around, something felt off.

Your gut was tight, and that nagging feeling that’d been growing restless under your skin since the breakup only grew stronger the longer you stood there.

You pushed yourself off the railing, discarding your drink on a table before moving through the crowd, past people you knew but didn’t bother with.

Your mind was set on one thing—Rafe. You were done with the break. You had your space. It’s time to get back together. It was never even really a question. It was just the way things worked with you two.

But then there was Ruthie—blocking your path, her wide smile dripping with the kind of smugness that set your teeth on edge. She looked like she was reveling in your misery and that little giggle she let out only made it worse.

"So glad you could make it!" she sang out, her voice too sweet, too bright. Her eyes flickered over you like she was sizing you up, taking stock of every inch of your perfectly put-together outfit.

You forced a smile, “Yeah, well, wouldn’t miss a party like this,” you said, keeping your tone casual.

You weren’t in the mood for whatever game she was playing.

“Oh, I just bet,” she replied, her smile growing wider. She stepped closer, her breath reeking of cheap wine, and you had to resist the urge to roll your eyes. Ruthie always drank too much at these things.

What the hell was her problem? She always acted like she knew something you didn’t, like she held the keys to all the dirty little secrets in Kildare, and she loved dangling them in front of people just to watch them squirm.

“Ruthie, I swear to God—” you began, but she cut you off, her grin widening.

“Oh, honey,” she cooed, her voice dripping with fake sympathy, “don’t get mad at me. I’m just the messenger. You should really be talking to Rafe about this.” She took a step back, still smiling, and glanced over her shoulder. “He’s around, you know. You can go find him yourself. See how cozy he’s gotten with her.”

You bit your tongue, jaw, forcing yourself to stay calm. She was trying to get under your skin, like the snake she’d always been. You couldn’t believe Top was lonely and horny enough to finally fall into her claws.

“Thanks for the tip,” you gave her a tight lipped grimace, brushing past her, didn’t try and wait for her reply.

You only caught glimpses of empty rooms along the way. You hadn’t seen him since the break, and part of you didn’t want to admit how much that messed you up. How much he messed you up. Your steps slowed as you neared the hall that led to the back of the house, the sound of voices filtering through the air. You recognized some, laughed at the drunken ramblings, until one voice cut through the noise. Rafe’s.

And then you heard hers.

No fucking way.

You didn’t stop. You couldn’t. You told yourself you just needed to see him, talk to him, tell him this break had gone on long enough, that you were done with the games. That’s when you heard it again—her laugh. It was light, flirtatious, the kind of laugh that made your stomach turn into a million different directions because you knew exactly what it meant.

She was there, with him.

You moved forward, the hallway barely lit as you reached the half-closed bathroom door. Your breath hitched, hands trembling as you peeked through the small crack, unable to stop yourself from looking.

There they were.

She was smiling, laughing softly at something he’d said, her fingers brushing through her hair as if she didn’t have a care in the world. Your breath caught in your throat as you watched his hands move, tying the knot in her bikini with such gentle precision like he’d done it a thousand times. The kind of softness he used to have with you. And then he said it, his voice teasing, amused like this was some kind of inside joke between them.

"God, this is just landing right in my lap, isn’t it?"

You froze.

He laughed quietly, his lips brushing against Sofia’s shoulder as he tied the last knot, and the way he touched her—like she was something to be savored—sent a rush of burning humiliation straight through your chest.

You stumbled back, your heart pounding in your ears as Rafe’s words repeated over and over in your head. Landing right in my lap.

What the fuck was this?

Your heart clenched, vision blurring as what you were seeing slammed right into you. You backed away, your hand flying to your mouth to stop the sob from escaping. But it didn’t help, not even a little. The tears burned, and you turned quickly, practically running back through the house and out the door before anyone could see the humiliating mess you were becoming.

It was real. He moved on in two fucking months. That’s all it had taken for him to replace you, to be done with you.

He was over you, just like that.

After everything you’d been through together, all the times you had to pull him out of his own darkness, the nights spent in his arms when you thought you couldn’t breathe because your whole family was gone—after years of being his and him being yours—how the fuck could he move on when you’d been rotting away in self loathing for pushing him away?

Your head spun as you stumbled down the steps, out to the street where your car was parked. You couldn’t breathe, it was coming out too fast, shallow, and your hands were shaking so hard you had to press them against your knees to hold yourself up.

What the hell was wrong with you? You hadn’t even had anything to drink. But your stomach was rolling, twisting in knots so tight you couldn't stand straight. You leaned against the side of your car, the cool metal grounding you to reality for a second before a wave of nausea hit, forcing you to double over and retch onto the pavement.

Tears stung your eyes as you coughed, wiping your mouth with the back of your hand. You felt dizzy, disgusted even, everything you thought you knew, everything you thought was yours, had been ripped out from under you.

Without a single warning, not a text, not a stupid call, just pure indifference. No respect or regard for you. None of them. Everything you’d just seen replayed in your mind—Rafe, her, the way he touched her like she meant something to him.

“Look who’s still standing!” Topper’s voice. He was laughing as he strolled over, hands shoved in his pockets, that same carefree grin on his face that he always had at parties. “Jesus, what did you have to drink? You look like you’ve been hit by a truck.”

Normally, you might have had something to say back, maybe a fiery insult or a roll of your eyes. But right now, everything felt like too much. You couldn’t say a word.

Your cousin stopped beside you, his grin dropping as he finally looked at you. “Hey, what’s wrong?” He leaned down, trying to catch your eyes. “You good? You look kinda—"

You cut him off, the question was heavy, a lump lodged in your throat. “Did you know?”

He blinked, the confusion spreading across his face. “Know what?”

You swallowed, your heart hammering in your chest as you forced the words out, your voice shaking.

“About Rafe and Sofia.”

You hated saying her name. Hated that you’d been forced to know it by heart.

Topper’s smile dropped, his expression changing. He didn’t answer, but he didn’t have to, you knew him well enough to read his micro expressions. You clenched your fists, you were the only one in the island who’d been let out of the secret. Surely, your friends, your only family would’ve told you something right? It’s not like you were on a remote island away from them.

You’d spent the last month in New York, not in the fucking jungle.

You visited occasionally. You were a call away.

“Did everyone fucking know?”

Topper exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Look, we didn’t think it was serious. You know how it is with you two—you’ve done this before. Played with other people…”

Played with other people. Like you and Rafe were just some game, a revolving door of heartbreak and hookups. It didn’t make sense. You’d always known how it worked, understood how these things went—but it was never real.

You stumbled back, feeling like you might collapse.

“Oh my God, I’m going to be sick again.”

He reached out, obviously concerned since he hadn’t seen you in this desperate state in years, “Hey, hey, calm down. Look, it’s not like it means anything. Rafe’s just—he’s going through a lot with his dad dying, and he… he’s just messing around. You know how he gets.”

But the words did nothing to soothe you. They only made it worse—how everyone knew, they’d all watched Rafe move on, while you were stuck, still reeling from the breakup, thinking he’d come back like he always did. And he was just out there, with her.

With someone else.

You pressed a hand to your stomach, your head hurting. The idea of Sofia, of Rafe being with someone else in ways that only you knew—ways that had always been yours—made you feel like you were being torn apart.

Topper was still talking, still trying to rationalize it, but his words were like static now, blending into the noise of the party behind you.

“It doesn’t mean anything,” he was saying. “You know how it goes. You always end up back together. He’s just doing whatever to distract himself.”

That word. Distract himself, as if your entire relationship could be boiled down to that—a series of distractions until you decided to come back to each other, to pick up the pieces and pretend everything was okay.

You could still remember the night your life changed—the phone call, the horrible, gut-wrenching moment when you learned that your family’s private plane had gone down. Your parents, your sister.

Gone, just like that.

Rafe had been the one to pull you through it. He was the one who had held you as you cried so hard you thought you were going to die, who sat with you in silence when you couldn’t bring yourself to speak, who stayed with you every single night because you were terrified to be alone in a haunted mansion that now felt like a mausoleum.

You'd been seventeen, and losing them all at once had killed something inside of you. But he was there. He wasn’t perfect—far from it—but he knew what it was like to grieve.

He knew loss, he understood. Because you’d been there for him two years earlier, when his mom lost her battle to cancer. You could still see the look in his eyes that day—fourteen years old and already drowning in so much anger and sadness, like the world had ripped something essential out of him.

The way he cried at her funeral when he thought no one was watching, and you’d found him, sat beside him in the cold, letting him cry without saying a word. You hadn’t started dating yet, hadn’t crossed that line, but something had changed between you two in those moments.

A connection, a bond forged in shared pain, in the kind of trauma that no one else really got. Maybe that was why you were so obsessed with each other, it was fucked up, but you couldn’t imagine anyone else understanding you the way Rafe did.

How could it all come down to this? To you standing here, feeling like the world was ending while he moved on, laughing and touching someone else like nothing you had ever been through mattered?

Was that it?

Did that one moment, that one argument about Ward, erase everything you’d done for him?

All the times you’d been there, the way you had comforted him when he felt like his life was spiraling? You remembered exactly what you’d said a month after the funeral, when your boyfriend blamed everyone but Ward for his own death. "He wasn’t a good person, baby. I know he was your dad, but you can’t pretend like he didn’t fuck you up."

You hadn’t even said it to hurt him, not really. It was just the truth. Ward had been a terrible father, controlling and manipulative, and you’d spent years watching Rafe try to live up to some impossible standard, chasing his father’s approval like it would ever be enough. But that didn’t make it easier for him to hear. You should have known better, how raw he was after losing his dad, how complicated his feelings were.

But instead, you’d been brutal. Honest, but brutal.

And now, two months later, here you were—staring at the empty street, wondering if you’d pushed him too far. If that one moment of honesty was enough to make him forget everything else. Now you were just the ex, the crazy one who didn’t know when to keep her mouth shut.

“Fuck, why did I say that?” you whispered to yourself, voice shaking. Why couldn’t you have just let it go?

But then another clarity of anger took over you, pushing away the guilt that had been building inside.

So you’d been too harsh about Ward. So you’d said what everyone else had been too scared to say.

It wasn’t like you’d been wrong. Ward had messed Rafe up.

Everyone knew it. He knew it, deep down.

You gritted your teeth, staring out at the dark street, the hum of the party still buzzing faintly behind you. You were never going to get that picture out of your head. Like they hadn’t just met, like you hadn’t spent years learning how to calm Rafe when he spiraled, how to hold him together when he couldn’t hold himself.

Your chest tightened again, a bitter taste rising in your throat.

You could still feel the weight of his head on your shoulder that night, years ago, when his mom passed. The silent sobs that shook his body, the way he’d held onto you. That was the real Rafe—the one he hid from everyone else, who was lost and broken underneath all the anger.

And you’d seen him, really seen him in ways no one else ever could.

Not Sofia. Not anyone.

"Look, you're emotional, okay? I get it. Maybe it's that time of the month or something. You know how you always get when your hormones go crazy."

The words got to you, but not in the way he probably thought they would. At first, it pissed you off, like it always did when people tried to downplay your emotions. Everyone always said you felt too much, that you were out of control.

But then…

You stopped moving, blinking rapidly as his words spiraled around in your brain. ‘Time of the month’, he'd said.

Your heart started doing summersaults, your stomach dropping as the idea settled in. You grabbed your phone, hands trembling like leaves as you opened the calendar app. You scrolled, trying to think, trying to remember when you’d last…fuck.

You hadn’t had your period in… so long. Almost two months.

No. No, no, no. This couldn’t be happening. It had to be some kind of fucked up joke. You felt light-headed as you reached for your car again, your body shaking so badly you could barely stand against the door.

"Shit."

How could you not have noticed?

Topper noticed the change in you instantly, his brow furrowing. "What’s wrong with you?" he asked, his tone softening a little. "You okay?"

You couldn’t even form a sentence. Your brain was too full of what-ifs. Two months late.

You hadn't even thought about it until now—everything had taken so much space in your head that you hadn't noticed the most obvious sign. This wasn’t possible. Your hand flew to your stomach, almost instinctively. You had no idea what to do with the panic creeping up your throat.

“Shit,” You hissed, this time louder, trying to push the growing dread down. But it wouldn't go away.

He was still staring at you, “What? What’s going on? You’re freaking me out.”

But you were already backing away, shaking your head.

“I—I need to go,” You mumbled, barely hearing yourself.

Your cousin moved quickly to block your path as you tried to make your way toward the door. That kind of protective streak only made you want to shove past him even more.

"You’re not driving in this state." he warned you, his hands up, trying to physically stop you.

You just glared at him, “Fucking watch me.”

He didn’t budge.

"You get in that car and I'm calling Rafe," he said, sounding dead serious.

You couldn’t believe it. Your head was already spinning, and he was trying to guilt-trip you like this was some kind of helpful thing to do?

You threw your hands up in frustration, voice rising, cracking.

"He’s too busy fucking Sofia. Knock yourself out."

The words felt like venom in your mouth, the bitterness rolling off your tongue. You didn’t care how harsh they sounded, you didn’t care about anything anymore except getting away from this suffocating stupid place.

Before he could say anything else, you made your move, pushing past him with all your strength, chest hurting with the urge to feel something other than this suffocating mess. Your hands shook as you fumbled for your keys, managing to unlock the door, sliding into the driver’s seat, the cool leather biting into your skin.

You needed to think. But all you could think about was that one, terrifying realization: you might be pregnant.

Your breath hitched, terror swirling around your chest. The calendar app was still open on your phone, the dates staring back at you like a flashing red warning sign, daring you to confront the truth you’d been ignoring. Two months. Two months without a period. And you hadn’t even noticed. You pressed a hand to your stomach again, heart pounding as if it was trying to escape your chest.

This couldn’t be happening. Not now. Not like this.

You weren’t thinking clearly—shit, you weren’t thinking at all, but you couldn’t stay here. Not with Topper trying to baby you, not with him out there, living his best life like you didn’t even exist.

You turned the key, the engine roaring to life, and just as you gripped the wheel, ready to peel out of the driveway, Topper bolted in front of the car, planting himself right there like some kind of human roadblock.

Fucking idiot.

His arms were stretched out wide, as if he could somehow stop you by sheer willpower.

“You’re not doing this, I swear to God, you’re not!” he yelled, his voice frantic, echoing off the dark street. He looked panicked, pleading even, like he was convinced you’d actually go through with it.

You gritted your teeth, eyes narrowing on him through the windshield.

“Top, I swear, you have three seconds before I run you over.”

“Are you serious right now?” he yelled, his voice cracking with disbelief. But he didn’t move. “You think I’m letting you drive like this? You’re out of your fuckin’ mind!”

Your fingers gripping the wheel so hard it hurt.

You weren’t bluffing, you were too wound up, too out of control. The only thing keeping you from flooring him was the fact that, deep down, you knew your cousin didn’t deserve it.

You just needed to get out of here.

“Move!” you screamed, “I’m not joking’, Topper. Get the fuck out of my way!”

His face twisted with frustration as he looked over his shoulder, something catching his attention. He started waving, yelling at someone, his voice cutting through the night.

“Rafe! Dude, get over here!”

Your brain stopped. It was like everything had been sucked out of you. Your hands froze on the wheel, your entire body locking up as you looked to your right and saw him—Rafe. Right there in the yard.

And she was with him. He had his arm draped around her casually.

As if he belonged there, just standing in the open, so stupidly comfortable in his new life. His head turned when he heard Topper call out, and your eyes locked for a less than a second.

A moment too long, amoment that broke something inside you.

While Topper was distracted, his attention on Rafe, you made your move. You slammed your foot on the gas, tires screeching as the car lurched forward, swerving just enough to dodge Topper’s stunned figure. You heard him yell after you, but his voice faded into the background noise as you sped away.

You didn’t look back. Not at Top, not at Rafe.

The only thing you could hear was the sound of your own heartbeat pounding in your ears, drowning out everything else. You hated this, hated that you were crying, that you’d let yourself get to this point.

“God, what is wrong with me?” you muttered, your voice quavering as the words tumbled out. “Why the fuck am I crying over him? I shouldn’t be crying over him.” You slammed your palm against the steering wheel, angry, disgusted with yourself.

You’d told yourself you were stronger than this—that after everything you’d been through, you didn’t need him or anyone else. But here you were, falling apart like some pathetic excuse of a mess because of him. Because he had always been there, hadn’t he? After the crash, after you lost everything, he was the one constant, the one person who kept you from completely losing it. You’d relied on him so much.

Too much.

“Fuck,” you hissed, tears streaming down your face. Your throat burned as the memories came flooding back, all the nights you’d spent together, him holding you while you cried yourself to sleep, of the way he’d pulled you out of the gloom when you thought you’d never get back up again. You thought he’d always be that person for you, the one who understood your broken pieces because he had his own.

You’d always fit together perfectly.

You pulled into the parking lot of the nearest drugstore, your hands still shaking as you put the car in park. The tears had dried up on the drive over, replaced by a cold determination. You didn’t want to be here. Didn’t want to even think about what you were about to do.

The moment you stepped out of your car and into the harsh fluorescent lighting of the drugstore, you felt completely out of place—like a stranger in your own skin. You hadn’t even thought about how ridiculous you must’ve looked until you caught your reflection in one of the store’s glass windows. Your hair, still perfect from earlier, framed your face in soft waves, and your makeup was flawless, despite the crying. The designer dress you were wearing—sleek, red, and worth more than half the shit in this store—with its sticky floors and white lights, it made you feel like an alien.

You didn’t belong here.

You caught the eyes of a couple of people loitering outside the entrance as you walked in, their stares lingering too long, murmuring to each other behind smirks. You knew they were talking about you.

They always did, kook queen, overdressed, out of touch, bitch, whatever they wanted to call you.

The sliding doors let out a grating beep as you entered, and the air inside was stale and heavy, reeking of floor cleaner and cheap perfume. You adjusted your grip on your purse, strutting past the aisles with your head high even though everything inside you felt like it was falling apart.

You always did this—dressed to kill, head up, like armor. But there was no real glamour in buying pregnancy tests from some random pharmacy in the middle of the night. No way to mask the deep, growing hysteria in your bones.

The girl behind the register clocked you the second you stepped up to the counter, her eyes dragging over your, she couldn’t quite believe what she was seeing. You could almost hear her thoughts: What the hell is someone like you doing here?

You didn’t bother looking at her, all you wanted was to pay for that shit and leave without a scene. But of course, people always found a way to make things worse. She hesitated before scanning the tests, looking like she might say something.

For her own good, you prayed she didn’t.

You threw the money on the counter before she could open her mouth, two crisp hundreds on top of the total. The cash hit the counter with a sharp thwap and you gave her the bitchiest look you could muster.

“Take it. Keep your fucking mouth shut.”

She swallowed hard, her hand trembling as she slid the bills into the register. You didn’t care that she was young or nervous. You weren’t here to make friends or for anyone’s sympathy. The extra money would make sure she didn’t talk, that was all that mattered.

You walked out, your heels clicking against the linoleum, head high, even though every nerve in your body screamed for you to disappear. You slid into your truck, slamming the door shut, the silence finally hitting you. For all the designer clothes, the makeup, the money—none of it meant shit right now.

You felt so small. So scared. Terribly lonely.

You sat there for what felt like forever, staring at the stupid bag in the passenger seat like it had the power to ruin your whole life—which, to be fair, it kind of did.

You didn’t know what the fuck you were going to do. Not about any of it. Your foot tapped nervously against the floor mat, the sound too loud in the quiet car. The bag crinkled as you glanced at it again, your stomach twisting all over again. A bunch of pregnancy tests.

How had it come to this?

Rafe. You squeezed your eyes shut, willing yourself not to think about him, not to picture his face when he found out. If he found out.

Shit, what the hell was he going to do? He was with Sofia now, right? So was this going to ruin his life too? Did he even deserve to know?

It was probably nothing, you told yourself. Maybe the separation anxiety had gotten to you. Your body was probably fucked up from all the stress. Perhaps your period was late because you’d been so all over the place lately. There could be a million reasons. You didn’t even want to think about what would happen if it wasn’t nothing.

You didn’t want to cry anymore, not after all of this, especially not over Rafe or your life turning into some fucking soap opera you didn’t even want to be a part of.

The second you were inside your house, the walls closed in around you. Your perfectly decorated place—the one you’d spent so much time making into a refuge, an escape—it didn’t feel like that anymore. Every designer pillow, every carefully chosen piece of art, mocking you. Your phone buzzed in your bag, you reached for it.

Of course, it was Rafe.

“I don’t know what the fuck that was but save the fucking dramatics, okay?”

The nerve.

The fucking nerve of him to act like he was the center of your universe, acting like you were some inconvenience.

Months of silence and this was the first thing he decided to text you? Knowing how much you despised when people called you a drama queen? Fucking piece of shit. Your fingers hovered over the screen, a thousand different responses running through your mind.

You wanted to tell him to shove something up his ass, but instead, you did the only thing that felt right in that moment.

You blocked him.

You stared at your phone, half expecting it to buzz again, half dreading that it wouldn’t. It was done. You cut him off, at least in that tiny, virtual way. You sat there for a minute, gripping the phone, trying to remember how to breathe.

This was supposed to feel empowering, right? You told yourself it would, cutting him out would help you get back some control. But your mind wouldn’t settle.

Those damn pregnancy tests were sitting in the bag next to you.

You were tired.

Exhausted in a way that had nothing to do with how late it was or how emotionally spent you were. You kicked off your heels, letting them clatter against the hardwood floor as you sank into the plush couch. Your house felt cold and unwelcoming tonight, no comfort to be found.

Not here, not in the muted tones of beige and white or in the sleek lines of furniture that were supposed to exude elegance and sophistication.

Maybe tomorrow you’d feel differently.

You'd wake up with a clear head, ready to take the stupid tests, you’d be strong again like you’d been so many times before.

Tonight, you were just tired.

You leaned back against the cushions, closing your eyes for a moment, willing the noise in your head to quiet down. Sleep.

That’s what you needed, a few hours to clear your mind, and in the morning, you’d deal with everything.

All of this would go away.

TAGLIST: @maybankslover @october-baby25 @haruvalentine4321 @hopelesslydevoted2paige @rafebb

@rafesbbyy @whytheylosttheirminds @astarlights @bruher @nosebeers @carrerascameron @serrendiipty @sunny1616

@yootvi @ditzyzombiesblog @psychocitylights @maibelitaaura @kiiyomei

@stoned-writer @justafangirls-blog-deactivated2 @starkeygirlposts @enjoymyloves @ijustwanttoreadlols

@icaqttt

[rafesangelita]

♡ bitchy!kook!reader finally lets rafe fuck..

warnings: making out, slight degradation, teasing, fingering, loss of virginity, unprotected sex, praise, multiple orgasms

a/n: thank you to the anon who sent in this prompt request for my follower celly! i accidentally deleted your ask ૮₍ ˃ ⤙ ˂ ₎ა

you didn’t expect things to get this heated, this fast, both you and rafe messily kissing each other in the darkness of his room, his playlist playing softly in the background while his hands didn’t leave a single inch of you untouched. you could feel his hard-on poking you through the thin lace material of your panties, your resolve crumbling more and more as you let yourself get lost in the taste of him, your desire to surrender and give into his advances only growing with each filthy sentence he spoke to you. “remember all that tough shit you were talking? ‘saying i couldn’t handle all of this but here you are fucking dripping for it..”

you whimpered, your head rolling to the side as rafe planted his lips on your neck, his hand snaking down underneath the hem of your skirt until his fingers slipped below the waistband of your underwear. “you know i can make you feel so good, baby, just give me the word..” he whispered, his teeth lightly grazing your flesh just as his fingertips dipped between your folds, a curse falling from his mouth as your slick allowed him to stroke your clit with ease. you gasped softly, your nails digging into his skin as he rubbed hard, firm circles around your sensitive bud. “come on..” rafe encouraged you quietly, “let me fuck you.”

you sighed softly, your eyes fluttering closed as he moved his lips down from your neck to your chest, his digits continuing their ministrations on your needy cunt. you couldn’t believe you were finally giving into him, all the months of begging and pleading with you to let him have his way all coming to an end once you nodded, your boyfriend cursing under his breath as he tried to his best to keep his composure. rafe’s fingers prodded at your entrance, the sensation making you panic before you stopped him. “wait—!” you panted, slightly embarrassed, “i’ve never done this before, rafe..”

upon hearing your words, rafe used his free hand to grip the back of your neck, his gaze scanning down your pretty face as his chest rose and fell in disbelief. your usual bitchy expression was long gone and was now replaced with what looked like intimidation, your brow etched with worry as you watched the realization dawn on him. “holy shit—” rafe laughed, “you’re a virgin?” you looked away from him, avoiding his burning gaze. “don’t be weird about it, you’re not special.” rafe scoffed, his jaw clenching as he pushed his fingertips into you. crying out, your nails raked down his toned chest, the burning tension making you wince.

“these are just my fingers, babe.. if you can barely handle this, just imagine when i’m fucking you balls deep.” the thought alone made you shudder, a shiver running down your spine as rafe began filling you up with digits, your walls fluttering around the welcomed intrusion. “gentle, please..” you whimpered, a hiss leaving your lips when he pulled at the roots of your hair, forcing you to look at him as he started thumbing at your clit. “gentle?” he laughed, “why would i be gentle with you? you’re not special.” rafe used your words from earlier against you before curling his digits and hitting that soft spot inside of you, your head falling onto his shoulder at the added stimulation.

“m’gonna make you cum all over my fingers, ‘get you all nice and stretched out before i fuck you stupid, yeah?” you whined, wrapping your arms around his neck as your breathing grew sporadic, the heavy tension in your core making your limbs feel like jelly. “fuckkk!” you squealed, burying your face in his chest as you felt the sudden snap in your tummy, your pussy squeezing around rafe’s digits like a vice. you saw stars behind the backs of your eyes, your thighs trembling as he held your hips down to keep you from moving away from him. “r-rafe, that’s enough,” you huffed, “s’too much now!” considering you were about to let him pop your cherry, he decided he’d give your poor cunt a break.

rafe didn’t give you nearly enough time to recover before he had your wrists pinned between tits, your ankles sitting prettily on his shoulders as he tapped the aching tip of his cock against your clit. “i’m never gonna let you live this down,” rafe teased, slipping only the tip in to watch the way you took your bottom lip between your teeth, “no one’s ever gonna fuck you like this.” was the last thing he said before thrusting into you without warning, a half scream emitting from your throat as rafe groaned, his eyes glued to where you two were connected.

“oh my god, you’re fucking gorgeous—” rafe said through gritted teeth, admiring every detail of you he hadn’t seen before tonight. you were rendered speechless, any kind of protests or smart remarks dying on the tip of your tongue as the ache between your legs dulled and melted into pure unadulterated pleasure. from pained whimpers to pleading cries, rafe’s lips found yours as he fucked into you with an unforgiving force. nipping his bottom lip, rafe hissed, cursing under his breath as you managed to get your hands out of his grip.

“not so scared anymore?” he teased, his words making you roll your eyes. “shut up, rafe— oh!” your back arched up into his chest when he changed his momentum, the long strokes of his hips making you hiccup. “tell me to shut up again.” you just about lost it when you felt his thumb return to your clit, your palms pushing against his stomach at the overwhelming pressure building up in your tummy. you hated how easy it was for him to take control of you in this moment, but god, you felt too good to care. not daring to say another word, your eyes screwed shut as rafe pushed you over the edge, his own orgasm causing his hips to stutter.

burying himself as deep as he could, you pulled rafe close as he emptied himself inside of you, your toes curling as he filled you up with his seed, the thick, hot ropes of cum painting your insides while you cried at the overwhelming feeling of your high. you felt like your head was in the clouds, your vision growing hazy as you blinked in slow motion up at the high ceiling. with rafe’s weight on top of you like this, and his moans in your ear, you reveled in the new intimacy that you two hadn’t yet shared with each other, both of you holding onto each other as your climaxes subsided.

still nestled inside of you, rafe collapsed on top of you, your hands wasting no time in moving his bangs out of his face, your heart fluttering in your chest at the sight of the smug grin on his lips. “don’t you dare say anything—”

“i can’t believe you actually let me hit.” rafe sighed, leaving a trail of kisses along your collarbone. you shook your head, a soft laugh leaving your lips as you twirled the ends of his hair with your perfectly manicured fingers. “act up and you’re not getting sex for as long as you piss me off.” you threatened, your words making his eyebrows raise. “you don’t have to worry about me acting up after this.. i can’t go on without it now.” you rolled your eyes at his dramatics before he took your lips in a kiss. “i hope you’re not fucked out just yet, i got some more rounds in me.”

[fanficgirl429]

Sex, Dishes, and Emotional Damage

Prompt: Y/N walks into the kitchen where the rest of the Thunderbolts are and is in a very grouchy mood. She's mad at them for one reason and Bucky for another.

Pairing: Fem!reader x Bucky Barnes

---

The kitchen buzzed with the usual morning chaos: clattering mugs, half-hearted jokes, and a steady stream of sarcasm as the Thunderbolts tried to function on minimal sleep and questionable caffeine habits.

Y/N shuffled in like a storm cloud wrapped in fuzzy socks. Her hair was in a messy bun that looked moments from total collapse. She wore leggings and one of Bucky’s oversized sweatshirts—it nearly swallowed her whole, the sleeves hanging past her fingertips, the hem brushing her knees. She looked exhausted… and somehow still unfairly adorable.

“Good morning, sunshine,” Yelena chirped from her perch on the counter, legs swinging like a child’s as she sipped from a black coffee mug.

Y/N grunted. “Is it?” she muttered, making a beeline for the coffee pot like it held the meaning of life.

“Someone’s a little grumpy,” Ava sing-songed, lazily stirring her cereal.

“I’m just saying,” John added with a smirk, ���this feels like one of those mornings where I pretend I didn’t see anything and slowly back out of the room.”

Bucky, leaning against the fridge, watched his girlfriend move around the kitchen like a very tired, very cute gremlin. He held a banana he’d long since stopped eating, more interested in how she looked in his sweatshirt. His voice was soft when he greeted her.

“Hey, doll.”

Y/N didn’t even look at him. “Don’t ‘doll’ me right now.”

Yelena’s eyebrows shot up. “Ooh. He’s in trouble.”

Y/N turned with her mug, scanned the room—and froze.

The dishes.

The fucking dishes.

The sink overflowed with food-streaked plates and smudged mugs. Greasy pans hadn’t moved in days. The garbage can was brimming. The counters were covered in crumbs, an empty energy drink, and a sticky mystery spot that might’ve been jelly.

“This kitchen,” she said, eerily calm, “is an actual war zone. Why do I even bother making a chore chart if no one reads it? Is it invisible? Am I being pranked?”

“Y/N, relax,” John said, raising both hands like she had a weapon.

“Don’t tell me to relax,” she snapped, spinning so fast coffee sloshed over her mug. “Last time someone said they’d clean it, guess who spent two hours on her hands and knees scrubbing dried oatmeal off the tile? Me!”

“Babe—” Bucky started gently.

She cut him off without turning. “Don’t even start with me, Barnes, because I’m mad at you too.”

A low whistle escaped Yelena. “Welp. I’m leaving before blood gets spilled.”

“I’m going with you,” Ava said, grabbing her toast as the three of them evacuated with zero shame.

Silence settled over the kitchen, save for the hum of the fridge.

Y/N let out a long sigh and leaned against the counter, arms folded tight, jaw clenched. But beneath the edge in her voice, her eyes looked tired—not furious, just worn down.

Bucky leaned against the counter opposite her, patient and calm.

“Alright,” he said gently. “Tell me what’s going on, sweetheart.”

She didn’t meet his eyes. “I’m tired. Not just tired-tired. Everything-tired. I feel like I’m doing all the little things no one else even notices. Cleaning. Organizing. Fixing. And the second I clean something, it’s a disaster again.”

Bucky nodded slowly. “You’re right. I haven’t been helping enough. And I’m sorry. I’ll do better. I promise.”

She blinked a few times. Her voice cracked when she finally whispered, “I just miss when it was simple. When it was just us. That shoebox apartment with no furniture and a toaster that shot bread like a missile.”

Bucky chuckled, stepping closer. “You mean the one-bedroom with the leaky faucet and neighbors who screamed at each other every night?”

“Yes,” she mumbled, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I miss it. Because it was ours.”

He reached for her hand, gently lacing their fingers. “This is ours too. We just forgot how to protect our peace.”

She let herself lean into his chest for a moment, melting into the quiet comfort of him. “Thank you.”

He rubbed slow circles on her back with his thumb, then pulled back just enough to meet her eyes. “Okay. But why am I in the doghouse, exactly? I’ve been pretty well-behaved lately, haven’t I?”

She bit her lip, hesitating. Then, softly: “We haven’t had sex in, like… a week, Bucky.”

Bucky blinked. “Wait. That’s why you’re mad?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Yes. Don’t laugh.”

He laughed anyway. “You’re mad at me for not jumping your bones?”

“I said don’t laugh!” she huffed, crossing her arms.

“Babe, I didn’t know that was on the official ‘Reasons You’re Mad at Me’ list.”

“Well it is!” she insisted. “I’ve tried. But every time I make a move, you’re already passed out or talking mission strategy or patching someone up.”

Bucky stepped in closer, his voice low and sincere. “If you had said the word, I would’ve dropped everything. You know that, right?”

She looked away, but he could see the faint smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “Maybe I wanted you to notice first.”

“I always notice you,” he murmured, brushing a thumb over her cheek. “Even when you’re mad at me. Especially then—you get all snappy and flushed. It’s hot.”

She rolled her eyes and swatted his arm. “Shut up.”

He grinned, tugging her into him again and pressing a kiss to her temple, then the corner of her mouth. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Where are we going?”

“Somewhere with a lock. And a bed. And no dishes.”

She giggled as he led her toward the hallway. “We’re just leaving this mess?”

Bucky glanced back at the disaster zone. “We’ll clean it later. Or bribe Yelena.”

Y/N laughed as he guided her to the doorway, stealing one more kiss before guiding her out—her hand in his, her storm-cloud mood finally starting to clear.