Arsene (persona 5) - Tumblr Posts

Bond of a Gentleman Thief

*Requested by: @chapik123 | AU where Arsène becomes his own being both in and out of the Metaverse.

Fandom(s): Persona 5

P5 Protagonist/Joker x Fem Reader

Arsène & Fem Reader/Phantom Thieves of Hearts

Summary: A typical relaxing day in the Phantom Thieves’ lives with Joker’s former Persona, Arsène. And as once a part of their leader, he loves you just the same.

One-Shot

Content: Fluff, romance, humour, alternate universe, playful flirting, platonic relationships, established relationship.

Warnings: None.

Main List | 𝐉𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐫 | AO3

If Joker had known that the strange Shadow they were facing gave random status effects—one of which could separate a Persona from its' user, he would've taken the time to reconsider his targets. This was not what he and everyone else were expecting when they decided to do some training in Mementos.

When Noir had been hit, she was influenced by Sleep in the middle of the fight. Skull was taken by Freeze, and Panther had Paralyze. It was a prolonging battle, but just as Joker made his All-Out Attack, the Shadow somehow landed a direct blow in exchange.

"Joker!" Mona shouts as the other thieves looked at their leader in worry. Joker's chest felt tight, along with a strange headache. He had to lower himself to the ground so he wouldn't collapse from his condition.

You immediately rushed to his side and supported him as he tried to gather his bearings.

"Aki..?" you spoke softly as your brows furrowed in concern. Saying his real name showed your deep worry for him.

"I.." he trailed off, clutching his shirt and holding a hand to his forehead.

The team gathered around to check on him, all three status effects had already been removed, but they didn't know what was happening to their leader.

"I don't know what's going on! These readings don't make sense!" Oracle exclaimed.

Suddenly, Joker's mask began to light up in familiar blue flames before it went over to the rest of his body, leaving you to let him go, backing away with your teammates as the fire became larger.

"What the hell..?!" Skull says in shock.

Chains had suddenly sprouted up, and soon the large flames moved from Joker's body, towering over him instead. Arsène's black wings came out and dispersed the fire completely, leaving the Persona to fully appear.

"Arsène..?" you let out in confusion.

"But Joker didn't even take off his mask!" exclaims Mona, wide eyed. "A Persona can't just show up on its own!"

Joker's pain had now faded away, and he was able to stand up again. You went and helped him, putting his arm over your shoulders to support his weight. Joker was now facing his first Persona in the eyes, disbelieving when seeing the sight for himself.

It was after that that Akira's life took a turn. He was always able to feel Arsène at the forefront of his mind outside the Metaverse. The noiret could sense the Persona's reaction to certain things. Like when he checked out an Arsène Lupin book from the library the first time or when you'd come over to see him alone in Leblanc or out on a date around Tokyo. Akira figured that the reason for Arsène's fond reaction to you was because of his own feelings.

From what Mona and Igor had told him, Personas are the manifestation of thought that comes from deep inside a person's heart. And there wasn't a doubt that Akira’s love for you was the same, he never thought that his Personas would be kind of influenced from it.

"You're going to be late for school if you don't go now~" Arsène says lightly, fiery eyes glowing with a bit of mirth. Akira wasn't sure if he could still reach into his mind like he used to.

After what happened in Mementos two weeks ago, it came to the thieves' realization that Arsène had somehow separated himself from Akira. He could appear in the real world on his own, which startled the group greatly when they saw him show up after a flash of blue flames in Leblanc one day. Morgana needed to take a breather when it happened.

No one was sure if Arsène still counted as a Persona anymore with how materialistic he was. Luckily, to Sojiro and other civilians Arsène was invisible. They couldn't see, hear, or feel him in any way. Morgana theorized that it was most likely because of the Metaverse. Since the thieves have been there and were Persona users, it'd make sense that they'd be the only ones to notice him. Futaba thought to call Arsène a ghost for it. Ryuji went for demon, considering how the former Persona still had a connection to Akira, the noiret was probably a lifeline for his existence still.

Having Arsène around wasn't a bad thing, he never showed up during class or out in the open when Akira and Morgana went out on errands. But he would pop up occasionally when Phantom Thief business would be discussed or to just have a leisure hangout. Plus, he helped the Wildcard in increasing his Charm and Kindness. You enjoyed his flirting and doting either way.

What turned out to be a random team up with Akira's Persona had become a unique and fitting dynamic friendship with everyone.

"Okay, so Operation Babe Hunt was a fail, but this time we have a shot!" Ryuji said enthusiastically. It was the weekend, so the group came together to spend time in Shibuya. The girls went off to do some window shopping, which included bringing a reluctant you along with.

"But why am I here? I already have a girlfriend." Akira reminded blankly. Though he knew you wouldn't take Ryuji's dating search seriously.

"I know." the blond groaned. "What's with our leader having all the luck?"

"Is this really something important enough that we have to do again?" asked Yusuke, uninterested. "I would've much preferred going to see any art supplies that can be sold here."

"I don't understand why I'm here either." Akechi added with arms crossed, hiding his irritation behind a smile. "If you haven't noticed, I have some paperwork to get to."

"Oh come on!" Ryuji says, eyes begging. "You can't just leave me on my own, this is a group effort." he turns to Akira. "Besides, since you already have a girl, you could be the wingman."

Akira's face doesn't change, "Why not just ask Arsène?"

The Persona appears as soon as his name was mentioned, startling Ryuji. "To catch a woman's attention should begin with a gentleman's behaviour.”

"That's asking a lot for Ryuji." Morgana comments, sticking his head out of Akira's bag.

"Like you have any room to talk." retorts Ryuji. "For a so called gentleman yourself, you can't seem to turn the cat charm on Ann."

The feline gave a fierce glare, ears pointed up. "I'd be better than a brute."

"You—"

"Let's settle down, yes?"Arsène interrupted calmly, flapping his wings forward in between Akira and Ryuji. "There's no need for such a dispute."

"You can finish your petty little fight out of the public eye." Akechi stated bluntly. "It would make things much easier for us to not be stared at like freak shows."

Ryuji just stared at the male, annoyed. "I figured the Detective Prince would be a total chick magnet, but thinking about it now, it was probably a bad idea."

"I would think that Arsène's opinion on gaining a relationship would be a preferred choice." Yusuke inputs thoughtfully. "His assistance has helped (Y/N) and our leader's own romance grow further."

Akira's body slightly jolts as he turns to the artist a little frazzled. Yusuke had admired the love between you when you both revealed to your friends that you were dating. He even made a few painting of you and Akira modelling for him as inspiration. Of course Arsène came to see them, including the process. Together they were an unique pair. They bonded with their formal speech, and the perspectives Arsène gave him in art.

"We're not in the 20th century." Ryuji declined. He wasn't about to have Akira's old Persona/demon coach him in the ways of getting a girl. The two came into banter over Ryuji's habits, like slouching and way of speaking, though not seriously butting heads.

"You wound me, monsieur." chuckled Arsène. "Ladies still do find chivalry to be an attractive trait."

"Ugh..." The blond's face remained flat when gazing at the demon levitating above them.

"This is going to take a while.." Akira says to the other males as they watched Arsène and Ryuji bicker back and forth again.

"You looked like you had a fun time." you say amusedly, standing in his room.

"That's one word to describe it." your boyfriend sighed, lying on his bed, face free of his fake spectacles.

Your friends had gone out to gather their things for a studying session. As the first to arrive, you went to meet with Akira.

You give a small sympathetic smile as you walked up to him, taking a seat while placing his head on your lap. Akira held a look of contentment and softness at you. Your hand moved to run through his soft messy black tresses, you found a love for touching his fluffy hair.

Akira glides his own hand into yours before lacing your fingers together. Turning your intertwined hand to where he was faced with the back of your palm, the noiret pressed an affectionate kiss to it. A light blush rose to your cheeks at the gesture.

"Always the romantic, huh?" you said, heart fluttering.

"For my Treasure, definitely." he responds, tons nonchalant, the casual debonair that he was.

You lean down close enough to where your noses lightly touched. Akira's other hand came to cup your cheek, encouraging you further to his lips. Just as you two were about to kiss, a familiar presence came to his room.

"Of course, he has some help along the way, chérie." Arsène spoke, humour in his fiery eyes as he disrupted the moment.

Akira groaned quietly as his head plopped back to your lap. "It's nice to see you again, Arsène." you greet calmly, with a faint regaled smile.

He bowed with a hand to his chest, "It is always a pleasure to be graced by your arrival, chère rosé."

The noiret eyes the demon sharply, "Hey, there's only one phantom thief in her life you know."

The entity only lets out a laugh, "Ah, there is no need for agression, you are my creator after all. My adoration for our dame voleuse is from your own heart, I assure you." with the flap of his wings, Arsène is in front of you and Akira. He takes his clawed hand and holds your human one, fragile and all flesh. He delivers his own kiss to it, where the flames behind his piercing smile gave you a gentle brush.

"No Trésor could compare." cooed Arsène.

You give an expression of amusement, you were used to Arsène's natural cunning and flirtatious behavior. He showed the most personality out of all of Akira's Personas. When Arsène brought this side of him to the team the first few times, they weren't sure if he was serious or playful.

Ann was taken aback by it, replying with dry responses to his words before getting used to how it was just who he was. She helped settle the demon down from his eccentrics. He and Haru became close over their dark tones that hid behind kind demeanours. Makoto gave lighthearted debates over law with him. Futaba adored the former Persona, in both fascination and personal likeness. She wanted to broaden his views of modern life. And Arsène displayed a more softer side towards the youngest member, they made a mischievous pair.

But of course, there was you. You were the Wildcard's lover, the object of his affection. Arsène wondered if you knew just how strongly the boy felt for you. You were sweet to the ones closest to you, whether it was noticeable or not. A formidable and reliable Persona user who always had her teammates' back. Akira has never loved anyone in the past as much as he loves you now. And you shared the same feelings, it wasn’t exaggeration for you to claim that no one could beat Akira in your love life.

Arsène naturally held some of Akira's love for you when he separated from him. Which meant that no matter the bonds he had with the girls, which are genuine to him, the demon would always be devoted to you. He shared Akira's romanticism, proving a close resemblance to the Arsène Lupin from the books with his gentlemanly manners. The former Persona's charm was filled with honest adoration. You took it in fondness for him, finding light humour in his antics as well, including his teasing to the noiret for doing so. You'd even play along to Arsène's jest, which made him consider you a femme fatale in those moments. It allured both him and Akira upon this side of you.

"That can be debatable." the noiret says impassively, narrowly gazing at Arsène.

"There's never a dull moment with you two." you muse, shaking your head.

Soon Morgana came in, his paws lightly pattering against the stairs as he made his way up. "Hey Joker, Akechi's here. He says he wants to talk to you about something. He seems.. disgruntled." the feline's face showed a look of pleasant surprise when noticing you. "Oh, Lady (Y/N)! I didn't realize you were here so soon."

"Hey, Mona." you slightly wave. Akira reluctantly sits up, away from your lap. He scratches his head, feeling exasperated over the double interruptions.

"Akechi never misses a cue, huh?" Akira replies dryly, a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

A small laugh escapes you when seeing Akira's pout. To make your boyfriend's mood better, you give a kiss to his cheek. "We can spend time together later. You should go see what Akechi wants, you know how he is with you."

Akira's lips make a line, looking only half unmotivated to go, but his steel eyes soften for you as he stands up and adjusts his clothes a bit. You turn to Morgana with inviting arms, to which he happily accepts, scampering into your embrace.

"A friendship like theirs wouldn't be without settling oppositions." remarks Arsène. The rivalry between those two boys was basically the foundation of their relationship.

"That's an understatement." you sigh.

The noiret puts his glasses back on, moving towards you, he holds his hand out. You take it, both gazing at each other sweetly. It left you to carry Morgana with one arm as you both made it downstairs; Arsène following behind.

Akechi was seated at the bar as Sojiro stood behind it, going over his daily task. When seeing you all, the older man gestured his head to the detective.

"I'll leave you guys to talk, I'm closing up so make sure everything is clean and tidy after your friends are gone. Don't forget to lock up." and after a few minutes, Sojiro flipped the door sign closed and left.

"Pardon the intrusion." spoke Akechi, holding an easygoing smile. "I hope I didn't disrupt you two."

"Did you come for some coffee before going about the evening?" Akira plainly asked the brunette with a raised brow. The noiret wonders if interrupting his time with you was what the detective hoped for.

Akechi chuckles lightly in response, "Leblanc's coffee is more so a bonus. I was thinking of having one made by you as repayment for bringing me along with your friend's shenanigans."

You sweat drop, expression blank as you feel Akechi's mild chagrin. Morgana only gave the detective a wary look, hopping onto one of the stool seats.

Akira turns to you with the shake of his head before letting go of your hand to move behind the bar. Putting on his green apron, he began to prepare Akechi's drink.

"A penny for your thoughts, detective?" Arsène inquires amusedly.

Said teen regarded the former Persona carefully. ".. I'm merely expecting a beverage in return for wasting my afternoon in witnessing your lecture to Sakamoto."

"The boy has much to learn if he wants to reach a lady's heart." Arsène simply states.

"I'm sure Ryuji will figure it out eventually." you muse, the back of your hand resting under your chin on the counter.

"Who knows when that's gonna come." Morgana comments slyly.

"Here you are." Akira places the warm cup in front of Akechi.

"You have my thanks." the brunette nods.

"Hey!" Ryuji greets, coming inside, with the others following behind him.

“Sojiro texted to let us know the café was still open.” notified Futaba, waving her phone. As she and Yusuke didn’t attend the same school like everyone else, they had no involvement with the homework.

“We should keep everything to a minimum, we wouldn’t want to inconvenience him for trusting us here without his supervision.” Makoto advised.

Ryuji raises a brow at Akechi, “I think none of us were expecting see you twice today.”

The brunette gives a tight grin, “I just came for some compensation from your leader after the hours you’ve made me give up.”

“Hey, I didn’t drag you along outta force!”

“That defence is rather weak.”

“Why don’t we get started, yeah?” you offer, defusing a future argument.

“You guys can take a seat.” said Akira, following your lead. “Do you want anything?”

“A coffee does sound nice, thank you.” Haru nods appreciatively.

“I for one only came for the café’s beverages.” Yusuke bluntly said.

Futaba nudges him with her elbow, “Just sit down and help, all right, Inari?”

“That name is always unnecessary!”

“Guess we have to study now…” Ann sighed.

After delivering everyone’s orders, the group gathered at one of the tables with open books and paper. You and Akira naturally sat together. Arsène went to look around, levitating above you all.

“Thieves aren’t thieves without knowledge.” the demon muses. “Anything can become useful.”

“You say it like it’s easy..” Ryuji slightly slouched.

“Arsène makes a valid point.” agreed Morgana, as both different beings that originated in the same reality, they got along well. “Studying has proven a great strength for the Metaverse.”

“Um, how do you do question 7 again?” asked Ann, looking over her textbook.

“Here, I can teach you.” Makoto says, turning to help the blonde.

“Thanks.”

“For a high school student yourself, you show no indication of it.” Arsène notes to Akechi.

“I make sure to balance both school and detective work is all.” the young male answered.

“And putting Persona user in the mix doesn’t always make things easy.” Arsène gestures to Akira. “Take my creator for instance, he has a habit of self-neglect with so many things on his plate.”

The noiret narrows his eyes at his former Persona, stoic.

“But of course our autre moitié and confidants always bring him back to his senses.” a tiny blush sweeps Akira’s face at the sentence as you brush a lock of his curly hair gently. A smile graces your lips, feeling shy at another of Arsène’s casual declaration of love for you. His French pet names are evident for one.

Akira gives your thigh a light squeeze from under the table, tracing your knee with his thumb. The noiret’s gaze is open and honest to you behind his spectacles.

“Perhaps you need to learn how to slow down from work.” inputs Arsène. In hindsight, he acted as a parent/guardian in some ways.

“I’m perfectly able, I find time to be more worthwhile in what I do now.” Akechi would be described as the cliche stubborn and distant child. Though Arsène doesn’t mind it.

“I’m not sure if I find their dynamic more interesting than Arsène and Ryuji’s.” you chuckle.

“I think so, too.” Morgana licked his paw.

“We aren’t that interestin’!” objected Ryuji.

“Deny all you want, you two give us quite the show.” Futaba replies, humoured.

“It is hard not to watch.” Haru joins in, a small giggle escaping her.

“Your personalities clash in a unique setting.” Yusuke notes to her. “Something pleasant on the outside that actually hides shared desire for danger. Quite frightening.”

“Arsène’s need to analyze for any loophole of the law fits with that as well.” sighs Makoto. She goes to stare at Akira after. “He gets it from someone.”

“Only the less obvious person would be it.” Ann laughs.

“But that’s what makes me fascinating, no?”

You lean to your boyfriend’s shoulder, “We’re an intriguing bunch, huh?”

Akira slides his hand to yours, “Yeah, but we make it work.”

Cafés & Intimate Moments

Fandom(s): Arsène Lupin - Maurice Leblanc/Persona 5

Arsène/Arsène Lupin x Fem Reader

Summary: It isn’t the coffee that makes this infamous gentleman thief come back again and again to the local café in town, but the cute owner that runs it. And true to his occupation, he doesn’t waste any time to state his goal.

Drabble

Content: Fluff, romance, established relationship, secret relationship, flirting, pining, cafés, coffee, coffee shops, café owner Reader.

Warnings: None.

Main List | AO3

”Chérie,” Arsène lowly whispers in your ear, brushing a strand of hair away as he cradled you face in his hands.

You can’t help but lean into his warm touch, eyes closed as you soaked in his presence. The café was closed for the day, with dawn about to set in. It’s at that time where a particular thief comes to visit you. As guile and stealthy as ever, the man showed no skills of an amateur, making sure to not get caught during his routinely crusades.

The coffee you made for him earlier was almost empty, resting on the counter as he came around to stand with you. Despite the danger of possible arrest for associating with the notorious Arsène Lupin, more so having intimate relations, the two of you showed no care in the world.

Arsène goes to rub his nose with yours, the heat of his coffee breath fanning your flushed cheeks. “Vous avez ce monsieur amoureux de vous, mon doux propriétaire.” [1.]

”Tant qu'il n'y a que moi, mon voleur sournois.” [2.] you quietly respond, lips now brushing his.

“Juste toi, trésor.” [3.] Arsène soon closes the gap between your lips, enveloping you in the taste of the sweet coffee you made him.

𝖤𝗇𝗀𝗅𝗂𝗌𝗁 𝖳𝗋𝖺𝗇𝗌𝗅𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇:

[1.] “𝖵𝗈𝗎𝗌 𝖺𝗏𝖾𝗓 𝖼𝖾 𝗆𝗈𝗇𝗌𝗂𝖾𝗎𝗋 𝖺𝗆𝗈𝗎𝗋𝖾𝗎𝗑 𝖽𝖾 𝗏𝗈𝗎𝗌, 𝗆𝗈𝗇 𝖽𝗈𝗎𝗑 𝗉𝗋𝗈𝗉𝗋𝗂𝖾́𝗍𝖺𝗂𝗋𝖾.” (𝖸𝗈𝗎 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗀𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗅𝖾𝗆𝖺𝗇 𝗌𝗆𝗂𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗇 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗒𝗈𝗎, 𝗆𝗒 𝗌𝗐𝖾𝖾𝗍 𝗉𝗋𝗈𝗉𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗍𝗈𝗋.)

[2.] “𝖳𝖺𝗇𝗍 𝗊𝗎'𝗂𝗅 𝗇'𝗒 𝖺 𝗊𝗎𝖾 𝗆𝗈𝗂, 𝗆𝗈𝗇 𝗏𝗈𝗅𝖾𝗎𝗋 𝗌𝗈𝗎𝗋𝗇𝗈𝗂𝗌.” (𝖠𝗌 𝗅𝗈𝗇𝗀 𝖺𝗌 𝗂𝗍’𝗌 𝗃𝗎𝗌𝗍 𝗆𝖾, 𝗆𝗒 𝗌𝗇𝖾𝖺𝗄𝗒 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝖾𝖿.)

[3.] “𝖩𝗎𝗌𝗍𝖾 𝗍𝗈𝗂, 𝖳𝗋𝖾́𝗌𝗈𝗋.” (𝖩𝗎𝗌𝗍 𝗒𝗈𝗎, 𝖳𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗌𝗎𝗋𝖾.)

i’m now an arsene stan bc of you SOBBING. I want a thief to pick me up from my balcony and whisk me away into the night.

Really? I’m glad my writing was able to do so. I honestly never expected to influence someone’s interest in a character, especially Arsène, whether it’s Persona 5 or the original source material by Maurice Leblanc. Arsène has always been a sort of underrated character in both fandoms.

In the beginning I thought to just make a P5 Joker x Reader centric blog because I loved the franchise. And he was a character who I was confident enough to write about, despite being controlled by the player, he does have his own personality and characteristics. There was also the fact that I wasn’t really into a lot of other fandoms/characters that didn’t catch my interest or motivation. It wasn’t until other writers from Tumblr and AO3 wrote about Arsène and Sataneal that changed my mind. They’re much better at writing those two than I am (including being especially slow in updating).

The thought of a love story with a thief who lives in a more different and adventurous world is kinda cliché but also a compelling fantasy.

You're actually the first person I've seen write for arsene or arsene and akira with reader! I didnt know there were others, but you created an impact on me atleast ^^

I would say that I’m just the scratch beneath the surface, or the tip of the Joker & Arsène iceberg if you will. There’s so many older stories about Arsène and Satanael, more than you would think.

I learned about it on AO3 as I delved into reading more P5 Joker x Reader. Writers like TheHuggamugCafe, DragonsInkwell, Freebird97, and more have done lots of work about these characters. They gave me a sort of inspiration to try the same.

arsene is a hopeless romantic, pass it on.

Oh, definitely. Both from the original books and as Joker’s Persona. I guess that just means the leader of the Phantom Thieves is a real romantic at heart himself since Arsène is a reflection of who he is inside. That’s always been canon to me personally.

"Don't mind me, just hanging out with my old man! Arsene Lupin the First!"

(So I've been watching alot of Lupin the 3rd recently and I couldn't help but find it funny if Lupin and Persona 5 had a crossover and like lupin finds out his grandfather is helping another group of Phantom Thieves XD that would be amazing💫)

A hug.

akiryu persona gijinkas, retains a few akira + ryuji traits but i hope the designs work standing alone as well, anyway theyre in love

I finally gathered myself to upload the full comic, yay!

A collaboration between me and my co-author (they did Ren-s and some refine, I did Arsene-s and backgrounds!)

This is a property of an ask-Arsene stuff I’m doing, but I think it’s okay to re-post with credits if you like it.

P.S. I accept requests as long as they are persona related.