This was supposed to be a snippet but my shipping feels had other plans. Please enjoy. I've taken some liberties with some character details but not so much that they deviate from canon. No spoilers in any chapters unless stated, so worry not. Unbeta'd and unchecked, so pardon the errors.

Big Bang Burger was more crowded than she'd expected. The energy from the number of people in this small, cramped space made her nauseous. In the seat facing hers, Akira shot her a thoughtful look as if he'd sensed her frustrations. When another rowdy student bumped against their table – causing the wobbly thing to tremble like jello – Ann hid her wince and sipped her drink with a faintly annoyed expression.

"Would you like to go somewhere else?" Akira asked, voice low but firm. His eyes scanned the crowd with displeasure before returning to hers.

"Yeah, that'll be great." Ann said, "Sorry for dragging you here. If I knew there were this many people…"

The bespectacled boy shook his head. "It's not your fault." He finished the rest of his soggy fries before giving her a half-smile. "Let's go."

It was like entering a pocket of hot air when they exited the restaurant and stepped into Central Street. She grimaced at the sun overhead, mentally scolding herself for forgetting to put on some sunblock. Her worries were short-lived when the blazing sun was suddenly blotted out, the umbrella casting soft shadows on her skin. Akira looked suitably pleased when she pecked his cheek in thanks.

The pair wandered through Shibuya for the next hour. After their final stop at the flower shop in the underground mall, they decided that Yonken-chaya, where Leblanc was located, would be the best option for a good dinner. Sojiro-san's curry was to die for, and Ann was hard pressed for anything else after that awful lunch.

"Yo, welcome back." Sojiro's greeting held a tint of playfulness when his eyes landed on the girl beside Akira. The older man had his reservations about the boy when he'd first arrived, but it had gradually given way to an exasperated sort of fondness. It helped that he was always well-behaved. "I see that Ann-chan is here, too."

"Good evening!" Ann's chipper voice seemed to light up the entire café. "We're here for some delicious curry."

"Then you've come to the right place. Take a seat, it'll be ready in a bit."

"Coffee?" Akira asked as she slid into the booth. She nodded. With her elbows on the table, she rested her chin on her open palm as she watched him put on his apron. The aroma of freshly ground coffee beans quickly filled the air. Heads turned as the customers of Leblanc sought out the source of the delicious smell.

Had anyone asked, Ann would admit she liked seeing Akira behind the counter. The Phantom thieves' forays into Palaces and Mementos contributed greatly to their physique and sense of grace. Hell, even Ryuji was quicker on his feet after several months of taking down targets.

All in all, she found it pleasant watching him flit to and fro as he prepared her drink. Barely five minutes later, and a fresh cup of steaming java sat daintily in front of her. Ann nearly melted into her seat when she took a sip.

"You'll put me out of business if you decide to open a café, kid." Sojiro said, setting two plates of curry on the table.

Akira's lips quirked. "Not a difficult feat."

Ann laughed at Sojiro's eyeroll, and turned her attention to the plate of curry before her. The meal was eaten in relative silence, the couple sometimes making small talk whenever something on the TV caught their attention. They couldn't talk much about the whole 'Phantom Thieves' business, so they stuck to safer and more mundane topics. Ann didn't find it one bit boring. It was inherently relaxing to talk freely about whatever was on her mind.

"I want to try that." She declared, eyes glued to the infomercial that boasted about their authentic matcha sweets. "It's a steal at that price. Plus the travel fare, it would total up to…" her musings descended into mumbles.

"460 yen?"

She nodded vigorously, earning an amused smile. "Yeap. But that's only if I buy one. Since my paycheck comes in next week, I think I can get three, or even four of them." Her glazed look conveyed that she was definitely not joking.

"We can split the cost if you want." He offered. She levelled a suspicious glare at him.

"But that means I'll have to share, right?"

His eyebrow rose. "Of course."

"Nope. Noooo way," Ann laughed when he wore an expression of mock hurt. "Those sweets belong to me!" The two shared equally amused grins, just short of breaking out in laughter at her exaggerated words.

Sojiro took that lull in conversation to interrupt their banter with an embarrassed cough. "I hate to break it to you, but it's time for me to close up," he said. "Futaba ordered pizza so I can't be late."

"Ah. Sorry about that, Sojiro-san."

Akira inclined his head. "I'll do it for you. You should get home before the delivery arrives."

Sojiro nodded, pleased at the offer. "I'll leave it to you then."

With a brief exchange of words and instructions, the café was soon closed for the day. Akira gathered the used dishes and brought them to the sink. He would have finished washing them in less than a minute, but Ann had thought flicking water in his face would be hilarious.

Akira couldn't let that declaration of war go unanswered now, could he?

"Why are guys' clothes so comfy?" Ann complained, throwing herself on the ratty old sofa with a tired huff. His sweatshirt hugged her skin, and she imagined drifting away, asleep on white fluffy clouds.

"Fabric softener."

"You lie." She giggled when he rolled his eyes. "I use it all the time, but my shirts never feel as good as yours. I'm so jealous."

"You look better in them than I do." Akira offered. His statement drew a blush from his girlfriend, and she buried her face in the sofa cushions with an embarrassed huff.

With a wry smile, he walked over and seated himself on the floor, leaning against the edge of the sofa. Ann found herself running her fingers through his hair as she marvelled not for the first time how soft they felt.

"Your natural curls are to die for," She mumbled. He made a noise of agreement and relaxed under her tender ministrations. This went on for a while longer before Ann spoke up again.

"Is Mona still living with the Sakura's?"

Akira nodded, his mood turning gloomy for the first time that day. "He hasn't forgiven me, yet."

"Honestly," she sighed, "I can understand where he's coming from, but it's been almost five months since we started…dating." A silly smile formed on her lips. Recalling how she'd confessed on that rooftop was enough to bring a blush to her cheeks. That was her next best memory next to time she surprised him with a kiss. It was the first time she'd seen him off balance since they first met in Kamoshida's Palace.

"I think he'll come around eventually." he said. "In the meantime, would you care to watch a movie?" She laughed, and leapt off the sofa to join him by the stack of rented DVD's. By the time they finished the tear jerking drama she'd picked, it was time for her to head home.

He walked her to the train station – truly a gentleman thief, he was – and with faint, albeit cute blush, kissed her goodbye. On the train, Ann reflected that she liked those moments.

Her looks ensured she had no shortage of suitors, usually the type with money to burn. They brought her on dates to places they thought she would like. Fancy dinners, luxurious car rides, and sometimes even clubbing. Compared to her previous relationships (Kamoshida notwithstanding) which were fairly high octane, her current one seemed tame in comparison.

She allowed herself an indulgent smile as she remembered the scent of the fabric softener Akira used, the pleasing smell of lavender that clung to him whenever she leaned in for a hug. The amused smiles he would give her as he watched her wolf down the treats that'd caught her eye.

Ann would trade all the fancy dinners and car rides in the world to ensure those moments lasted forever.