[How had Minako done it? She never shared the specifics, but somehow, through some miracle, Nyx had been defeated and everything had turned out for the best. They'd all graduated together and now worked more or less for the Kirijo Group in their off time. Shinji had managed to open up a small hole-in-the-wall restaurant and it's success had been staggering enough for him to hire on a full staff.
How else would he be out here walking the familiar streets of his hometown with Minako and Koromaru?
The weather was pleasantly cool and there was enough of a breeze to play with his hair that stuck out from beneath the bandana he now wore; though he still wore his trademark trenchcoat when he was out and about and thanks to his body having had time to heal from the Persona suppressants he'd been taken, he could feel the comforting warmth of Minako's hand around his.]
Almost October again, huh? You think I should bring back that pumpkin spice soup I tried out last year?
[The how of her success didn't matter any more. It was done, and even the price she had managed to minimize. The world was safe, and her friends could finally live all their lives without the weight of the world on their shoulders. The Kirijo Group was set back on track, thanks to Mitsuru, and she was in constant contact with everyone who mattered so much to her. The friends that had reminded her what really living for the moment could mean.
And Shinjiro had recovered from his wound, safe and sound and on the far side of his addiction. Now that all of their personas were gone, he no longer had to worry about hurting anyone, and his emotional growth had been so fulfilling to watch. Minako was content, incredibly so, for perhaps the first time ever. She nestles her chin into her scarf and smiled as Koromaru frolicked ahead of them. She turned to smile up at Shinji.]
Ohh, you should! I loved that recipe. I bet it will be popular again!
[She bumps his arm with her forehead.]
D'you think I could talk you into making some gourmet hot cocoa when we get back?
Idiot, that's like asking if you could talk the sun into rising.
[Some habits...well, they never changed, but he was far less worried about being affectionate in public than he had been earlier on in the relationship. He leaned down and placed his forehead against the top of her head, managing to keep his pace up without falling over; he'd had some practice with this motion.]
Jeez...it's only been two years and being around here feels nostalgic. I wonder if that old shrine is still standing.
[He calls her idiot, but she only giggles. Minako knows better than to think that it's actually an insult. It's practically a term of endearment for her grumpy hobo boyfriend. Well, not really a hobo anymore. A perfectly employed and homeowning boyfriend.]
It's been a long two years. And a lot has happened.
[Nostalgia is a thing that grows in strength with the potency of the emotions relating to it, right? Port Island is really the only place she's ever felt nostalgia for, so she's not exactly an expert.]
I hope so. Koro-chan would be sad to see it in disrepair.
[It's funny how being shot in the chest can give you some life perspective. Almost ironic even. It had though and with everyone's help, he'd managed to get his life firmly on track once he'd gotten out of physical therapy. I mean, yes, he still once in a while got a call from Mitsuru with missions for her new group, but so did everyone else. It often turned into strange, shadow hunting reunions for the lot of them.
Speaking of the shrine though, it wasn't long before the worn stone steps leading up to them came into view. Go figure.]
Well, might as well take a look. If it's any worse for the wear, I could start a fundraiser at the restaurant for it's restoration.
[Ironic it might be, but it did make sense. After all, huge dramatic brushes with death are what usually bring about the power of persona. Seeing death up close often makes one want to fight to live.]
Yeah! That would be great! Right Koro?
[She crouches down to talk to the dog and give him a pat before standing straight again and taking back Shinjiro's hand.]
[Despite having been two years, the steps still felt the same beneath his feet as he was pulled up them. The sights, sounds, and smells that greeted him sent such a wave of nostalgia through him that he almost felt dizzy. How many times had he come up here? Alone, with friends, with Minako...it was almost like he'd planned to come here all along.
The shrine itself though looked fine...maybe even a little better than the last time he'd seen it; it looked like someone was taking care of it full time and Koro hopped around excitedly in response.]
Look at that, I guess people really like making their wishes.
[Minako is feeling the nostalgia herself, taking in a deep breath of the night air. It was like being transported back in time, right down to the clicking of Koromaru's paws on the hard ground. She sighs in contentment, leaning in closer to Shinjiro.]
I'm so glad! It's like no time has passed at all!
[A special sort of smile traces her features]
Wishes... I bet I know what they're all wishing for, now.
[Now that the shadows are less of a threat and Erebus is contained.]
[Shinjiro had never been much of a people person; sure he was good in his restaurant, but beyond food? He didn't really know the minds of people that well, certainly not as well as Minako. She just seemed to have...a gift for it. To that end, he was curious as to what she was thinking.]
[He smiled softly and walked over, putting a hand on Minako's shoulder as he locked eyes with her. She really was beautiful, it just so happened the light from the fading sun accentuated all of those features he'd grown to love over the years.]
[That fading light that was doing wonders for her own face was also tracing beautiful shadows along Shinjiros, shadowing his cheeks with his eyelashes, and making him look darker even than usual, his slight dimples suddenly deep craters.
She stares at him for a moment, caught up, before she remembers to reply.]
No, I already have those things. [She closes her eyes for a beat] I'd wish... for things to always be like this. For us to always be able to have time like this together.
[Now if there was ever a cue for an action, those words would have been lit up in neon with flashing lights reading "Do it now!". A normal person might go in for a hug, maybe even a full on kiss if they were feeling particularly brave; but Shinjiro wasn't feeling brave.
He had something far better in mind.
He smiled that smile that only seemed to come out around his former dorm mates, and wrapped his arm around Minako's shoulders properly, pulling her in close as he turned to watch the setting sun. As he did, his free hand fished its way into his pocket and as it rose up, the last vision of the sun was replaced by a golden banded ring with a decently sized diamond set atop it, the fading golden rays causing it to splash a rainbow of colors across Minako's form.]
Well, what's stopping us?
[That grin, a grin that only Minako knew, a grin of a completely melted heart that knew exactly where it wanted to be.]
[When he doesn't go in for either a hug or a kiss, Minako knows he's up to something. She'd never dare to assume it was going to be an engagement ring he would hold up for the punchline, but there it was, reflecting and refracting the setting sun and shining a brilliant orange-gold.
Good god above, he's proposing. It settles on her slowly, and her face changes from vague surprise, to intense surprise, and finally into joy. There's just a slight hint of tears shining in her eyes as she turns to face him, pulling just a little out of his grip in the speed of her movement.]
Shinji!
[She closes her eyes and moves erratically, not sure what the best course of action is. She's almost pouting]
You surprised me with that! You really did!
[And then she's crashing into him, jumping first so that she can get her lips on his, an intense momentary kiss before falling back down.]
[There was a small, but very tense moment where she was pouting and moving around, but the moment she crashed into him his heart broke free from those chains and soared. He managed to catch her and safely guided her back down to the ground without losing the ring in the process; the kiss...he let linger on a bit before pulling away, giving her a half pouty look of his own.]
Jerk? You almost gave me a heart attack standing there like that!
[Despite the words, his tone was nothing but happy and Minako was going to be lucky if she got out of the hug she was in right now.]
[Would it really have been possible to have this moment without a momentary tenseness? There's always some level of nervousness involved in these things, and Minako sometimes takes a moment to respond, as would any girl getting suddenly proposed to!
But she laughs at his retort, clinging on tight and burying her face in his shoulder.]
Love you, too.
[Her own tone is a little teasing, but still honest, as she practically vibrates in his grip from her excitement and joy.]
[Whoops. Is that a small fiance being picked up? That surely is Shinji scooping up Minako as he walked over to a nearby bench so the two could really sit down and talk about things. Could he have just walked over here normally? Yeah, but this wasn't a normal situation and it was one of the perks of having a tiny fiance.]
[True to dignified form, she squeals a bit when he suddenly picks her up and giggles all the way over to the bench.]
Shinji!
[She baffs his chest a little in a show of obligatory indignation. Her face is all smiles in spite of it, and she presses another brief kiss into him.]
[He sat down but kept her firmly in his lap, accepting the kiss and rubbing his nose against hers. She'd really introduced him to the whole concept of being romantic, but once he'd gotten a hold of it, he'd really gotten good with his gestures.
The bench they were on now was his favorite, over towards the back of the shrine area and concealed completely by a bush that someone had let get too high and never bothered to fix. Not only did they have a good view of the city below, but they had their privacy too.]
[That makes her bubble into giggles again. Perhaps she was the one who really opened the door into romanticism for him, but Shinjiro had become sort of a pro at it. It was wonderful to be on the receiving end of, and she is more than happy to stay situated in his lap.
It didn't go unnoticed that he had chosen the most private and covered of all the bench options, and a few ideas start to form. Mischief maker that she is.]
Hmmm almost.
[She reaches around, searching for that ring he'd presented earlier and must still be holding onto, grabbed it and slipped it decisively onto her finger.]
[Shinjiro by now could tell when Minako was planning something, but if he was aware of it, he didn't do anything but affectionately ruffle her hair as she put the ring on.]
[She strikes the stereotypical pose, stretching her arm all the way out and spreading her fingers to inspect it.]
Trust you to pick out the perfect compliment.
[She turns back to him with a deeply fond look. Sure she might be planning something, but she gets the feeling he was planning first. He did pick the most secluded public place in town, after all.]
[If truth was being told, he'd only picked this place due to it's significance and because he wasn't all too good fond of the idea of proposing in public areas...but it wasn't to say he'd be object to anything Minako might be cooking up. She was the more forward of the two after all.]
[She can usually predict him, after all. Knowing her friends and reading people was her special talent and always had been. Sometimes they can still surprise her, and that makes it all the more fun.]
Usually.
[She amends, brushing her nose against his again and wrapping her arms around his neck.]
[He said with a laugh, actually taking the lead with a kiss of his own, just simply enjoying the warmth of having her close and the sweet taste on her lips.]
[Her sassy retort dies on her lips and she swallows it in favor of the kiss. It's such a wonderful treat to have Shinjiro take the lead. She smiles against his lips and a hand trails up into his hair and rubs gentle massages into the back of his neck.]
[The minute her hands hit the back of his neck, he almost instantly relaxed; a reaction completely unlike the first time she'd done that. The back of his neck was as vulnerable a spot as he had on his body and feeling a hand there was enough to send him into panic mode; obviously he'd gotten better about it with her as he practically melted into the kiss. It was okay to be vulnerable around Minako, because she'd always have his back.]
[His back, his front, and everything in between. She would aways protect him with everything she is and has, and she knows he knows that now. The ring on her finger is proof enough, and the way she can melt him with the slightest touch now was the icing on the cake.
She smiles and hums a bit into the kiss, one hand idling under the collar of his coat, and she scoots in a bit closer on his lap, straddling him for better access and comfort.]
[Well, it was a good position for the kiss, it gave much better leverage to deepen the kiss just a bit, but it might not have been the most comfortable seat in the house at the moment. Shinjiro was a male with a functioning body after all and Minako might just notice there's a decently size lump pressed against her now.
So much for trying to hide it, but then again, this was probably a part of her plan the entire time.]
[Au contrare. While trying to sit on such normally might have been a bit uncomfortable, Minako isn't the least embarrassed by the realization. In fact, with her new advantageous position, she can settle right onto it, and create just a little bit of friction for both of them.
Pleased with her success, Minako moves to deepen the kiss, finding his lip with the tip of her tongue.]
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timeasmymeasure
A Cold Fall's Day
Date: 2014-09-26 06:55 am (UTC)How else would he be out here walking the familiar streets of his hometown with Minako and Koromaru?
The weather was pleasantly cool and there was enough of a breeze to play with his hair that stuck out from beneath the bandana he now wore; though he still wore his trademark trenchcoat when he was out and about and thanks to his body having had time to heal from the Persona suppressants he'd been taken, he could feel the comforting warmth of Minako's hand around his.]
Almost October again, huh? You think I should bring back that pumpkin spice soup I tried out last year?
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 07:03 am (UTC)And Shinjiro had recovered from his wound, safe and sound and on the far side of his addiction. Now that all of their personas were gone, he no longer had to worry about hurting anyone, and his emotional growth had been so fulfilling to watch. Minako was content, incredibly so, for perhaps the first time ever. She nestles her chin into her scarf and smiled as Koromaru frolicked ahead of them. She turned to smile up at Shinji.]
Ohh, you should! I loved that recipe. I bet it will be popular again!
[She bumps his arm with her forehead.]
D'you think I could talk you into making some gourmet hot cocoa when we get back?
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 07:08 am (UTC)[Some habits...well, they never changed, but he was far less worried about being affectionate in public than he had been earlier on in the relationship. He leaned down and placed his forehead against the top of her head, managing to keep his pace up without falling over; he'd had some practice with this motion.]
Jeez...it's only been two years and being around here feels nostalgic. I wonder if that old shrine is still standing.
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 07:12 am (UTC)It's been a long two years. And a lot has happened.
[Nostalgia is a thing that grows in strength with the potency of the emotions relating to it, right? Port Island is really the only place she's ever felt nostalgia for, so she's not exactly an expert.]
I hope so. Koro-chan would be sad to see it in disrepair.
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 07:17 am (UTC)[It's funny how being shot in the chest can give you some life perspective. Almost ironic even. It had though and with everyone's help, he'd managed to get his life firmly on track once he'd gotten out of physical therapy. I mean, yes, he still once in a while got a call from Mitsuru with missions for her new group, but so did everyone else. It often turned into strange, shadow hunting reunions for the lot of them.
Speaking of the shrine though, it wasn't long before the worn stone steps leading up to them came into view. Go figure.]
Well, might as well take a look. If it's any worse for the wear, I could start a fundraiser at the restaurant for it's restoration.
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 07:22 am (UTC)Yeah! That would be great! Right Koro?
[She crouches down to talk to the dog and give him a pat before standing straight again and taking back Shinjiro's hand.]
Let's.
[And she pulls him with her up the steps.]
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 07:34 am (UTC)The shrine itself though looked fine...maybe even a little better than the last time he'd seen it; it looked like someone was taking care of it full time and Koro hopped around excitedly in response.]
Look at that, I guess people really like making their wishes.
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 07:39 am (UTC)I'm so glad! It's like no time has passed at all!
[A special sort of smile traces her features]
Wishes... I bet I know what they're all wishing for, now.
[Now that the shadows are less of a threat and Erebus is contained.]
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 07:41 am (UTC)[Shinjiro had never been much of a people person; sure he was good in his restaurant, but beyond food? He didn't really know the minds of people that well, certainly not as well as Minako. She just seemed to have...a gift for it. To that end, he was curious as to what she was thinking.]
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 07:44 am (UTC)To be happy, to live long lives, and to be able to live to the fullest!
[It seems overly optimistic, but she feels in her heart that she's right.]
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 07:49 am (UTC)But is that what you'd wish for?
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 07:55 am (UTC)She stares at him for a moment, caught up, before she remembers to reply.]
No, I already have those things. [She closes her eyes for a beat] I'd wish... for things to always be like this. For us to always be able to have time like this together.
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 08:00 am (UTC)He had something far better in mind.
He smiled that smile that only seemed to come out around his former dorm mates, and wrapped his arm around Minako's shoulders properly, pulling her in close as he turned to watch the setting sun. As he did, his free hand fished its way into his pocket and as it rose up, the last vision of the sun was replaced by a golden banded ring with a decently sized diamond set atop it, the fading golden rays causing it to splash a rainbow of colors across Minako's form.]
Well, what's stopping us?
[That grin, a grin that only Minako knew, a grin of a completely melted heart that knew exactly where it wanted to be.]
How about it?
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 08:12 am (UTC)Good god above, he's proposing. It settles on her slowly, and her face changes from vague surprise, to intense surprise, and finally into joy. There's just a slight hint of tears shining in her eyes as she turns to face him, pulling just a little out of his grip in the speed of her movement.]
Shinji!
[She closes her eyes and moves erratically, not sure what the best course of action is. She's almost pouting]
You surprised me with that! You really did!
[And then she's crashing into him, jumping first so that she can get her lips on his, an intense momentary kiss before falling back down.]
Yes, you big jerk, of course!
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 08:22 am (UTC)Jerk? You almost gave me a heart attack standing there like that!
[Despite the words, his tone was nothing but happy and Minako was going to be lucky if she got out of the hug she was in right now.]
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 08:32 am (UTC)But she laughs at his retort, clinging on tight and burying her face in his shoulder.]
Love you, too.
[Her own tone is a little teasing, but still honest, as she practically vibrates in his grip from her excitement and joy.]
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 08:40 am (UTC)How's the view from up here?
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 08:48 am (UTC)Shinji!
[She baffs his chest a little in a show of obligatory indignation. Her face is all smiles in spite of it, and she presses another brief kiss into him.]
Best view in the world, actually.
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 08:55 am (UTC)[He sat down but kept her firmly in his lap, accepting the kiss and rubbing his nose against hers. She'd really introduced him to the whole concept of being romantic, but once he'd gotten a hold of it, he'd really gotten good with his gestures.
The bench they were on now was his favorite, over towards the back of the shrine area and concealed completely by a bush that someone had let get too high and never bothered to fix. Not only did they have a good view of the city below, but they had their privacy too.]
Comfortable?
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 09:03 am (UTC)It didn't go unnoticed that he had chosen the most private and covered of all the bench options, and a few ideas start to form. Mischief maker that she is.]
Hmmm almost.
[She reaches around, searching for that ring he'd presented earlier and must still be holding onto, grabbed it and slipped it decisively onto her finger.]
Okay, now I'm set.
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 09:08 am (UTC)Looks good on you.
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 09:22 am (UTC)Trust you to pick out the perfect compliment.
[She turns back to him with a deeply fond look. Sure she might be planning something, but she gets the feeling he was planning first. He did pick the most secluded public place in town, after all.]
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 09:25 am (UTC)You know me, I'm just full of surprises.
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 09:33 am (UTC)Good thing I know your game, then.
[She can usually predict him, after all. Knowing her friends and reading people was her special talent and always had been. Sometimes they can still surprise her, and that makes it all the more fun.]
Usually.
[She amends, brushing her nose against his again and wrapping her arms around his neck.]
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 09:48 am (UTC)[He said with a laugh, actually taking the lead with a kiss of his own, just simply enjoying the warmth of having her close and the sweet taste on her lips.]
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 09:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 10:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 10:03 am (UTC)She smiles and hums a bit into the kiss, one hand idling under the collar of his coat, and she scoots in a bit closer on his lap, straddling him for better access and comfort.]
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 10:08 am (UTC)So much for trying to hide it, but then again, this was probably a part of her plan the entire time.]
no subject
Date: 2014-09-26 05:15 pm (UTC)Pleased with her success, Minako moves to deepen the kiss, finding his lip with the tip of her tongue.]