Persona x Reader

Akira Kurusu x Fem!Reader (P5)

After Ryuji had accidentally triggered an alarm in a palace  and summoned what seemed to be hundreds of guards, there was no choice but to flee and regroup later. You split up to make a quick getaway, which was tough given that shadows were coming from all sides. 

In the confusion you had got caught in an ambush, but you managed to scrape by just about. Being by yourself now was anxiety inducing since you had grown used to the large group you had. 

Futaba's voice brought some comfort. "You're all split up right now! There's a safe room on this floor, but you guys have to be careful." 

That was definitely true. If you got caught in a surprise attack again, you'd be finished without Makoto or Morgana nearby. You had known everyone for a while but only became a fellow phantom thief recently, so you had been trying to be less of a tag-a-long and actually pull your weight. But it seemed like you overestimated your abilities.

The silence of the winding halls should've gave you some peace of mind after the earlier chaos, but instead it only had you listening closely to every sound in worry. Even your own footsteps sounded ominous in its echo. 

The longer you walked, the more your legs seemed to buckle. You began to lean your palm on the wall for support, but its aid was only minuscule. Your head was starting to feel weighted, and your eyelids felt heavier the more you tried to kept them open. How long had you been walking? You couldn't tell. 

At first you thought you had imagined it, uncertain with your dazed self, but then you heart it again. It was the rustle of clothes, and the feeling of someone coming closer. You turned quickly, hand on your mask when you saw the familiar outline of a black coat.

"Joker." You sighed, mostly out of relief. "I'm glad I found you." 

"Same to you." He glanced at your odd posture. "Are you hurt?"

"Me? No, I'm fine." You hurried to push yourself up off the wall, trying to keep a steady balance. Somehow, you managed it. 

He stared at you, then nodded. "Alright. We should meet with the others." 

"Yeah... We should." You agreed, gesturing for him to go first. As he passed you, you took a deep breath in before forcing yourself to walk at his pace. 

If you looked weak now, you'd be a burden on everyone. So you just had to press on. Once you make it to the safe room, you'd be able to rest. 

You felt better that Akira was with you now, he was the leader for a good reason. With his calm demeanour and precise movements, you felt you had nothing to fear. At least you wouldn't have to worry about anymore ambushes with him with you.

He suddenly stopped, holding out his arm. You bumped into it, and looked at his face. Under his white mask was focused eyes, directed ahead. Following his gaze, you saw a group of shadows.

"Let's hide." He suggested, and before you knew it you were both hidden behind a nearby pillar with a simple swish of his coat. His hands were steady on his shoulders, and you could let yourself rest for a moment. 

The shadows spoke to each other for a while, before walking in opposite directions. Akira released his hold on you, and you had to force yourself to balance once again. 

Akira noticed your stumble. "What wrong?"

"Nothing." You replied, resisting the urge to collapse against the wall. "Are we any closer... To the safe room?" 

"It's still far." He responded, and you gritted your teeth. 

"O... Okay. Let's go." You finally said, thankful your face was already turned away from him. The pain was unbearable, but you couldn't let him know that.