Persona x Reader

Maki Sonomura x Male!Reader (P1)

Now that you were away from the constant ring of a telephone and the passing of visitors in the lobby, the actual hospital room felt overly quiet. You supposed it worked out, since it made Maki's soft spoken voice much easier to hear. 

You weren't able to see her last week, since schoolwork unfortunately got in the way. You worried that maybe she'd be upset with you, but even with how pale and haggard her face was, her eyes still seemed to light up. 

It was hard to imagine just how lonely it must be for her most of the time, stuck in one room and feeling so terrible. The nurse had commented before that seeing you and the rest of the group seemed to help her morale immensely, and it always stayed in your mind. You wished you could visit more often. 

Maki called your name weakly. "Y/n, if you're busy today, it's alright... I'll be fine here." 

"Hm? No, I'm good! I was just thinking about stuff." You replied. "Actually, I brought you something." 

"You did? That's so nice..." 

Opening your bag, you slid out a medium drawing pad and a small box of selected paints. You thought it was a good idea, but now seeing how shoddy it looked in the bright lights, you felt sheepish. 

Still, you placed it gently on her lap. "I wish I could've brought a proper easel but, well..." 

She shook her head. "No, it's perfect. It feels like a while since I've painted."

"I saw a few of the ones you made, they're great!" You complimented. "I wish I was half as good." 

"It's just a hobby, I couldn't become an actual artist..." She said solemnly, but changed topics before you could say anything. "Want to paint with me?" 

You paused, as if just registering her words. "Me? But I'm not-" 

"It's just for fun." She interjected softly. "I'd love anything you paint, I'm sure..." 

"Alright, but don't laugh." You ripped a few pages off the pad, enough that the paint wouldn't just soak through. 

She just smiled. After everything had been prepared, you found yourself staring at the paper blankly. Maki had already started, but she was tilting it away from you.

 "How do you find something to paint so easily?" You asked.

"I... Guess it's just easy for me to imagine things... Sometimes it feels like I can make a completely different world just by painting." She explained. 

"Oh, I see." That was a good answer, but it was turning the cogs of thought for you. "What are you painting then?" 

"... It's a secret." Maki smiled weakly, but she looked happy. 

You sighed and a soft giggle emitted her lips. 

"Afterwards... Can we exchange them?" She asked, sounding hesitant.

Surprised, you looked up at her. "You want mine? But... It's going to be awful."

"You haven't started painting yet..." She spoke encouragingly. "And I want to keep it. As a memento." 

Her response brought a warm feeling to your chest, and you smiled. "Okay. I'm pretty honoured that I'll get to keep yours."

"That makes me happy." She mirrored it, and returned to her painting. 

It was actually quite peaceful in the hospital room, as it held a stillness that made it seem like the busy world had stopped for a moment. However you could understand that it may not be as relaxing for Maki, being stuck in a world without movement. 

You decided to draw an animal, a very simplified one at that. It was a little wonky and the pain had streamed in some places because of your inexperienced hold, but it turned out better than you thought.

Whatever Maki painted, was still a mystery to you. That was until both of you were finished, and you looked at her expectantly. She seemed hesitant,so you went first.

You held it up, head down. "If anyone asks, it's an art style." 

She hummed in a chuckle-like manner. Over the sound of the flipping paper, it may have been inaudible. 

"It's so cute... I like it a lot." 

"So, what's yours?" You asked, and she glanced down at the pad.

Slowly she turned it, and it revealed a portrait of you. It was understandably not very detailed, what with the lack of time and the cheap paints, but you could recognise it easily. In the painting you were looking at your own work in progress with a concentrated expression, the animal seemingly taking form. 

"... Wow." You said after inspecting it. Maki studied you the same way for your reaction.

"Is it really okay for me to take? It's really good."

Maki nodded. "I want you to..."

You set the paintings on the bedside table to dry, when a thought came to mind. "I thought you painted things out of imagination, why'd you settle for me? Couldn't think of anything?"

"No, that's not it..." She disagreed. "For once, I... Wanted to paint something in my reach, something important. My hand just starting moving on its own..."

Now that you thought of it, her past paintings made sense. They were always a location, painted like a photographed memory. You could see now she always put a lot of feeling into them. 

"I think I get now why a painting supposedly says a thousand words." You thought aloud, and she blinked at you. 

"You do?" 

You nodded. "Your paintings always have a story to them, even without saying. You can just... feel it." Your cheeks felt warm. "Well, if that's the way of putting it. I can never explain myself well."

"No, I understand..." Maki looked much more tired than earlier, but her expression remained gentle. She said something in an even softer than usual tone. "I hope you can feel this one, too..." 

The nurse came in, looking apologetic. Visiting hours were over. 

You didn't give Maki a hug, as much as you would've liked too. You were afraid you'd hurt her. But you left her with your painting, and the promise you'd be back soon. 

She was sad to see you go, but she was truthfully exhausted. The nurse approached, seeing the painting. 

"How cute! Is this from his younger sibling?  You're so popular, Maki!"

Maki smiled tiredly, but it was genuine. "Hehe, no... It's just an art style." 

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A/N: It was a little tough thinking of how to write the P1 cast since there isn't the help of social links, but I think this turned out alright! I'd definitely like to write more for them.