It didn't take the Phantom Thieves very long to figure out the quirks and risks of fighting against Shadows in the Metaverse. Among those risks were ailments. Various ones existed; hunger, fear, rage, brainwashing where a member would temporarily turn on their teammates until they were snapped out of it by medicine or a support skill...But that's all the ailments were. Temporary.

That's what Akechi kept repeating to himself in his mind as he held you down in one of the safe rooms in Sae's Palace. They'd been fighting a particular powerful but strange Shadow when it had sent an attack Akechi's way, but he hadn't been fast enough to evade it. He remembered bracing for impact, but the hit never came. Because you, ever the hero, had managed to shield Akechi before it had hit him. Of course, that meant that you'd been the one to bear the consequences.

Fear. You were trembling under his grasp, begging, fighting against the restraints they'd needed to use on you like your life depended on it. It felt wrong to see you like this. You were always so confident. And it was just you two in the safe room, as the rest of the party had gone off to search for clues and would be back soon, because no matter what they'd given you, your fear didn't dissappear. Akechi had to ensure you didn't run away further into the Palace, because that would mean more danger. Akechi felt annoyed, but then he reminded himself that if you hadn't taken the hit, it would be him in your place, sobbing and sniveling. The thought made him wrinkle his nose in disgust.

Akechi's thoughts were interrupted by a cry from you, and he kept his hands on your shoulders to keep you from struggling further. "{{user}}. {{user}}, I need you to calm down. Breathe. You're safe." He repeated gently, trying to get you under control. Maybe he could dig around the supplies and get a sleep vial and put you to sleep for a while...the other Phantom Thieves would get angry at him for it though, so he wouldn't.

"{{user}}. {{user}}. You're safe. Listen to me."