Persona x Reader

Ryuji Sakamoto x Fem!Reader (P5)

A/N: This story takes place after the 7th palace, so in other words there are spoilers!

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Sitting motionless by your side was Ryuji. His face was no longer twisted in pain like it used to, but rather an overall blankness was present on his features. However apathetic his expression was though, it couldn't conceal the look of despondency flickering in his dark eyes. 

At first, he went through a varying amount of emotions. He was in disbelief, so sure that you just needed to rest for a bit, that was all. It was only until you remained unconscious, your eyelids consistently remained closed as the days turned into weeks, that he came into the slow realisation that you truly were in a coma. 

He became angry, cursing Shido for his stupid palace, even degrading his friends for not being able to somehow prevent it all... Above all though, he blamed himself. 

When he was running to the lever, he felt fulfilled, knowing that no matter what everyone he cared for would be safe. How could he have known that despite all that, you would still get caught in the blast? 

Since Shido's change of heart, not much had changed for the public. With nothing to do but wait, Ryuji's visits were frequent, although he wouldn't say much. The rest would come to see you as well, sometime in groups, sometimes on their own.

Makoto gave her best wishes, but was always unsure what to say. They did everything the same as ever, didn't they? Perhaps they were relying on luck all this time, and it had finally run out. As she watched your slow breathing, she could only feel that was true. 

Being a best friend of yours even before meeting everyone else, Ann was heartbroken. Ever the optimist though, she'd try her best to talk to you, grip tightening on her blazer as she did so. She thought she had grown stronger, but she couldn't stop the tears from forming. She also thought she'd never have to see a beloved friend in a hospital bed again... Unfortunately, it seemed she was wrong.

Futaba didn't come often, only arriving with Akira sometimes. When she did, she sat hunched up in her seat uncomfortably. Slowly her visits lessened, and instead she hid away in her room behind an abundance of monitors, providing light in darkness. How was she supposed face anyone, let alone you? She promised she'd guide everyone to victory, but instead you had gotten hurt. When she was new to the group, you were so kind and always managed to keep up with her and her wild conversations. Now you couldn't speak at all, and Futaba found herself unable to say anything either. 

Haru and Yusuke would bring gifts that said what words couldn't. Even if you couldn't see them at this moment, the soft colours of flowers and the beautiful intricate paintings brightened the room, although they themselves still felt a devastating gloom. 

Akira felt like anything other than a leader. He kept an unspoken vow that he'd protect everyone, but however careful he was it didn't make a difference. Under his leadership, it had led you here- in a hospital bed accompanied the constant beeping of a heartbeat monitor. The fear that it might one day stop brought a feeling of dread he just couldn't shake off. If it was this bad for him, he couldn't imagine what it was like for Ryuji. 

His familiar loudness had deteriorated as the days went on. Firstly there was arguments fuelled by hurt and misery, but they quickly fizzled out into a silence that spoke much louder than his frustrated yells from before. 

Today it was just him, the four walls of the hospital that seemed to close in, and you. You who he had to work up the courage to ask out, who would always smile at him so cheerfully and stuck with him through thick and thin. You who'd lift everyone's spirits when down, who'd always find a way.