survivaltricks | [Reverie Inbox]

You busy today?

I've got something for you if you have a minute.

[???]

sure; i'm free. do you want to drop by echidna?

That works. I can be there in a little bit. ଘ(੭˃ᴗ˂)੭

all right.

knock a few times and i'll answer. i'm the only one here, anyway.

[... That sounds really lonely.

He doesn't say that, though! Instead, he shows up a bit later, knocking at the door.

KNOCK KNOCK.

He's got a covered dish in his other hand.]

[shhhh don't call him out!!]

[anyway, a few moments later, Akira pushes the door open! he's dressed in gray stripes today, gaze immediately flickering towards the covered dish]

. . . eh?

[... Well!]

Can I come in?

-- ah. Of course you can.

[stepping to the side to let Minato in!!]

Did you bring dinner for yourself?

[. . . Akira]

[...Akira.

Minato just gives him a flat look as he steps in.]

No. I brought you dinner.

[duh]

I... guess I just felt like I wanted to cook something homey and familiar. You're also from Japan, so I hope it feels that way to you too.

[He offers Akira the dish!

It isssss... omurice! With a cute little cat face drawn on it in ketchup.]

[. . . oh. . . .]

[for a moment, Akira looks?? a little touched??? before he hesitantly reaches out to take the dish from Minato, gaze flickering down]

[. . .]

[. . . the stupid little cat face-- which is very cute and very well done, he must admit-- draws the slightest curve of a smile from him]

. . . thanks.

You really didn't have to, you know.

... You say that a lot.

[That he didn't have to--that he doesn't have to.]

I want you to know that... I don't do anything that I don't want to do. Having to or not having to has nothing to do with it.

I say it a lot because people are weird and I don't want htem to think they have to suck up to me.

[BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT IS, RIGHT?? PEOPLE SUCKING UP TO HIM?? he huffs a little, but doesn't argue any further as he guides Minato further into Echidna. which, btw, looks just like Cerberus, only with Echidna paintings instead of Cerberus ones and an extra door labeled STOCK ROOM]

Somehow, I can believe it isn't sucking up when it's you, though.

[...... Akira.......

Minato follows, of course, humming softly.]

That's good, because it's not. I don't care what "position" you may or may not have, or anything like that.

I just like spending time with you, and I worry that you're taking on too much.

[. . . pauses a little at that, frozen in the midst of placing the bowl of food onto the nearby coffee table. but he recovers quickly and gives a little huff]

Some people have taken it upon themselves to clean up the common areas for me. Seriously-- it's not that bad.

That's a start, for sure.

[Minato just says that much placidly.]

There are enough of us here that it's the least we can do to help out a bit and pull our own weight.

[presumably Minato brought some chopsticks with him, and once Akira takes a seat, he picks those chopsticks up to help himself to a nice, warm meal]

. . . you're all kind of a handful, you know?

Absolutely.

[Without shame or hesitation. And yes, he brought chopsticks! He'll take a seat as well, though he seems content to just wait and see if Akira enjoys it.]

That, too, is a sort of way to make the most of things, even in a place like this.

And absolutely no shame about it all--

[he teases one last time before he takes a bite. . . and immediately brightens]

Oh. . . it's really good.

[HE ISN'T SURPRISED ABOUT IT, PER SE, BUT. . . well. he had no idea Minato was this skilled at cooking]

[...! Minato relaxes a little at that, looking relieved.]

Oh, good... I was hoping you'd enjoy it, but I'm not used to cooking without a recipe on hand.

[another bite!]

Mmm-- couldn't tell. It's been a while since I've had omurice this good.

Now you're just flattering me--but I'm still glad to hear it.

There's a lot I can't make, but... I'm pretty good with traditional foods. So if you're ever missing any flavors from home... I'd be happy to make us dinner.

[??!?!?!? make "us" dinner?!?!?!? that makes it sound like a date!!]

[but Akira just huffs the thought away as he takes another bite]

I don't think I've ever been this spoiled before in my life.

[Don't overthink it, Akira.]

Seriously...? [Just a headtilt at that.] I don't think any of what people are doing is even that much, really.

[HE ISN'T OVERTHINKING IT ANYMORE]

Haaaaaving someone promise to make me dinner whenever I want it feels like a lot. . . I'm used to fending for myself.

[shrugs! that's life!]

[...... that just sounds sad, Akira--not that he doesn't get it.]

... It's not like I've got a lot of things eating up my time here... and I really enjoy your company.

So to me, it's kind of a win-win.

[IT'S NOT SAD IT'S JUST!! LIFE!!!]

[but he stares at Minato for a moment, expression blank and glasses opaque, before he takes another bite of omurice]

. . .

I feel like I should be giving something back. . .

[Okay. Minato actually pouts a little at that, lips pursing.]

I just told you what I'm getting out of this... you don't have to give me anything in return.

Can you at least believe that much?

[holds up a hand, thoroughly defeated. HE CAN'T FIGHT THAT POUT]

All right, all right. I'll stop fussing.

Good.

[Minato relaxes again pretty easily at that.]

This is part of friendship too, so... I'm really glad to hear that.

[the more this happens, the more Akira comes to realize he's just going to have to get used to it!!]

You're a bit of a smooth talker, you know? [LIGHTLY but there's a bit of truth to it] I bet none of your Confidants stood a chance.

[He just...blinks blankly at that, clearly confused.]

Smooth talker...? Was that smooth talking...?

[????]

[omg, Minato is so. . . clueless. . .]

Smooth as velvet. Or silk? Pick your favorite.

[wags a brow and takes another bite of omurice]

[He still just looks troubled.]

I wasn't trying to be... I was being sincere. I hope you know that I really meant it--

[AW, SENPAI. . .]

Ah-- of course you really meant it.

That's what makes it so smooth.

Edited 2021-10-29 02:47 (UTC)

[Well. That helps to make him look a little less concerned, at least.]

... I don't think I entirely understand, still... but so long as you know that I meant it, I'm okay with it.

What are your favorite meals, by the way. [asking for a friend]

[ASKING FOR A FRIEND, HUH]

[his response is immediate]

The tears of my enemies.

[And without missing a beat:]

That'll be a tough one... I don't even know who your enemies are to get tears from.

[his lips twitch]

I can't make things easy on you, can I?

[Minato just shakes his head at that.]

... Well. What about your second favorite, non-tears-related meal?

The blood of my enemies.

[now he's jut being contrary]

Okay, so I'll put that down as... hmm... tonkatsu sandos?

[A LAUGH]

. . . curry, actually. But I do like tonkatsu sandos, too.

Oooh, curry... I don't know if I have any good curry recipes stored in my head, but I'm willing to give it a shot.

I'm a lucky keeper of the best curry recipe in the world.

[HE SAYS SO CONFIDENTLY!!]

But I can't pass it on to you until you've proven your curry worth.

Oh wow... that must be some recipe if you believe in it so strongly.

What do I have to do to prove my curry worth? Make you some curry of my own?

That's a good place to start, so long as you make enough for yourself, too.

[places his chopsticks over the now-empty plate of (former) omurice]

I'll make us both some coffee to go with it.

[Oooh.]

That sounds fair. Coffee sounds really good, actually... I haven't had a cup since showing up here.

[He rubs the back of his head.]

Too busy and distracted to make some, I guess.

Say it isn't so. There's nothing worse than a man deprived of his daily coffee intake.

[he says so blandly. is he joking. . .?]

[When the clock strikes, Minato stares at it. Stares at it for a long, long time--

And then a zombie lurches towards him and Minato yelps, springing back just in time to avoid sharp claws.

He tumbles and rolls away, barely avoiding a tombstone.]

[Akira is one of the first on the scene as soon as the clock begins to chime. he's there to witness the slow emergence of rotting corpses from the dirt, the way the zombies lurch at anyone nearbye, teeth bared and entrails oozing]

[he's there to witness the way Minato jerks back, stumbles, and nearly trips over a tombstone. his gaze narrows as he immediately leaps into action, kicking at the dirt to dart towards the other wild card at surprising speeds]

Minato! Behind me!

[the blue fire burns away his Velvet Room-esque uniform (butler flavor, today) to reveal the leather jacket and red gloves. Joker is here and he is ready to rumble!!]

[Minato frowns a little, expression pinched--he's not a big fan of the fact that he's being awfully damsel-y right now--but then he obeys, darting behind Akira.]

If they're throwing zombies at us because the clock shifted to Death, it's a little heavy-handed...!

[Akira's gaze darts upwards, eyes focused on on the hour hand and the wait it points, very clearly to one number-- XIII]

Tch. . .

[his wings spread out behind him, small and yet somehow expanding as though they can be a shield]

The symbolism is all wrong, too. Are you all right?

[the zombie that launched at Minato is regaining its bearings. none of the other shambling corpses are attacking yet, but Akira is acutely aware of their presence, gaze narrowing]

No kidding... [It's just a bland mutter, though. Despite his connections with Death, he's not about to get fussy about the symbolism at the moment.

Instead...!]

I'm fine. I need to find a weapon, though. I don't have anything.

[weapons. . . a light curse. how are they supposed to acquire weapons on such short notice? even he doesn't have a dagger]

Will gardening shears work? I think that's about all we can manage at the moment-- your left!

[another zombie is lunging at them with inhuman, surprising speeds, but Akira is just as face. he arcs his arm to his side, mask bursting into fire as Metatron forms above him, obliterating the charging zombie with a well-placed Kougaon assault]

[. . . the zombie explodes into blood and gore, because of course it does. sorry about your outfit, Minato]

[Gross.

Minato's expression does not twitch, but he does brush off the worst chunks.]

... Gardening equipment should work. Lead the way--I'll grab something there.

[Akira flicks some off of his cheek with a mild grimace, before he nods]

Right. I will, too.

[because he only has so much SP to spend on exploding zombies]

[ANYWAY. TO THE GARDEN SHED]

[TO THE GARDEN SHED.

Minato disappears inside with a quick:]

Be right back.

[AND THEN REAPPEARS... with gardening shears for Akira, and a rake for himself.]

This'll have to do, I think.

[IT'S FINE, AKIRA IS GUARDING THE SHED ENTRANCE. Minato may hear another angry zombie cry and the sound of another explosion and squishy flesh being obliterated, but it's fine. it's fine!! don't mind the new blood spatters that decorate Akira's jacket when he finally retrieves his rake]

Thanks-- [taking those shears with a tired smile]

Let me guess. . . if I suggest you go wait things out at Cerberus, you're going to tell me no, right?

[Minato meets that tired smile with a calmly arched eyebrow.]

Of course I am.

[A quiet shake of his head, and he lifts the rake.]

Some of our companions might not be able to protect themselves.

[thaaaat's about as expected. . . and while Akira wishes to protest in the wake of Minato missing his Personas. . . he also knows better than to try]

All right. I trust you can handle yourself in a fight, even without a Persona.

[a breath]

But stay close to me, okay? Just in case.

[... Ha. Minato's lips twitch faintly at that, but he nods.

And when he twirls the rake into his hands properly, it's with a practiced movement.]

I'll be fine--but I promise I won't go too far, either.

Same to you, okay? Even with your Personas... you can still get tired or overwhelmed.

[Akira is absolutely making note of that practiced movement, lips quirking into a grin. hah. . . for being so quiet and mild. . . he's certain his senpai is more capable than he seems at first glance]

Mmm. SP goes pretty quick when you're not paying attention.

[and he has no coffee nor curry nor soul drops with which to replenish his stamina]

Let's move out, then.

[TIME TO GO KICK SOME ZOMBIE BUTT]

Edited 2021-11-01 15:05 (UTC)

[HELL YEAH IT'S TIME.

Minato nods briefly, calmly, and then they're on the move. There's really... no end to the zombies, but Minato seems to be able to hold his own with the rake; with the weapon in his hand, he can fend them off, knocking them away with practiced blows and keeping them at bay.

And as he does, he huffs.]

Zombies that move quickly... are cheating.

[Akira keeps his eyes on Minato from the corners of his vision, though he finds that there isn't much of a need for him to intervene. occasionally, he draws a Persona from the recesses of his mind out into the open-- Chi You, Ongyo-Ki, Cybele, Odin-- to blast a zombie into pieces from a distance. but otherwise, he's doing his best to pace himself]

[Minato's comment draws a breathless laugh from him]

This would be a lot quicker if they were slow and falling apart like they should be, yeah. . .!

[Minato just snorts to himself, shaking his head, and bashes another zombie away.

(As he does, he's taking note of those Personas. Some he recognizes...)]

I guess that would be too easy...

I'm really worried about some of the people here.

[one more zombie gets blasted into pieces, and then. . . there seems to be a lull, a moment of quiet in which Akira recalls his Persona and lets out a deep breath]

Yeah; me too.

. . . not everyone is built to be a fighter.

[Minato takes a slow breath in as well, nodding firmly.]

That just means we have to do what we can to protect them. Us, and everyone else who can fight too.

They'll be okay. We won't let them get hurt.

[taking a moment to catch his breath while there are no zombies in site, slowing to a stop as he lifts his arms above his head and stretches, one hand pressed against an elbow]

I haven't seen anyone else yet, so-- maybe they're already inside.

[SAFE AND SOUND. . . MAYBE THEY WON'T HAVE TO DO ANY RESUCING TODAY]

[THE IDEAL OUTCOME.

Minato just nods at that, lowering his weapon with a faint sigh.]

... Hey. What do you think of the Clock Tower?

[rocks back on his heel, still surveying the area]

. . . I hadn't thought much about it at all, until now.

And I'm not really sure what to think.

[... Minato takes a deep breath... and lets it out.

And quietly:]

"The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed."

The numbers--they correspond to everything... up until Death.

[blinks a few times, before he frowns brows furrowing]

And up until today, both hands were pointing to the Fool, right?

Yeah, that's exactly right.

... Maybe I'm overthinking it. But because this place is the way it is... [Velvet room adjacent and all] ... well, it's hard not to see the resemblance.

[a noise of agreement, but. . . he tenses a little as he senses some movement in a nearby bush, hand shooting to his face again]

But what does it all mean?

[his Velvet Room didn't have a clock in it]

I'm not sure yet--but it means something.

I feel like... I've seen a clock tower like this before. But... I can't remember where.

[damn u pq]

... Well. I'm sure we'll figure it out in time. It's good to keep in mind, at least.

[DAMN U PQ. THERE WAS NO CLOCK TOWER IN PQ2]

Mmm. And to keep in mind as things continue to unfold.

[and out of the bush pops another zombie!! with a few friends!! these guys are bigger and more muscular than the ones they've been fighting thus far. perhaps they are also less squishy?]

[Akira squares his stance]

[Minato frowns, lifting his rake like a quarterstaff.]

... Let's take them out.

[They could hurt someone else if they just avoid them!

So Minato, naturally, moves forward to engage the enemy.]

[Akira is right behind him! though he doesn't bolt forward like Minato does. . . if only because he's grabbing Ongyo-Ki from the depths of his psyche, sending the Person about to slice through the nearest zombie with an arc of his blade]

[. . .]

[if Minato notices, in between whacking zombies with his rake, Akira's breathing is getting a little heavier]

[Minato does notice. It's been awhile since he fought with SEES, but he hasn't forgotten being a field leader.

He bashes a zombie's arm clean off, whips the rake around, and knocks it back, buying himself some breathing room.

...]

Akira. You should take a breather. You're starting to overdo it.

[Ongyo-Ki vanishes as the zombie goes down, and Akira sucks in a sharp breath, knuckles pressed against his mouth]

Nah. I'm okay. We just took a break--

[for. . . whatever definition of "break"]

[but either way, he's cut off by another zombie literally LAUNCHING itself at Akira from behind, an enemy that he doesn't notice until it's too late. the creature bowls into him, and with a surprised cry, Akira goes down, face first into the dirt]

[And naturally, immediately? Minato swings his rake to knock the zombie he's facing back further, turning on his heel to dive forward towards Akira.

He leverages the end of the rake between Akira and the zombie pinning him down, and with all of his strength? He shoves the other end down.

It flings the zombie away like a catapult, but Minato doesn't have time to rest on his laurels. Instead, he immediately whirls on his heel again, facing the zombies in front of them.]

Akira? You okay?

[just as quickly as it slammed into him, the pressure is relieved from Akira's back, and instinct seems him popping back up onto his knees within milliseconds. his gaze snaps up to find the flat plane of Minato's back standing in front of him, guarding him from the rest of the zombies shuffling ahead]

[. . .]

[another exhale. Akira plays his fingers against the ground]

I'm fine. It caught me off guard-- that's all.

[A zombie approaches, and Minato slams it away again, rake out. It's startlingly effective.

And as he does... he shoots Akira a faint frown.]

... After we take care of this, we're taking a break. A short one--but enough for a snack.

[. . . a snort, and Akira finally manages to push himself (somewhat shakily) onto his feet]

If I stop using my Personas. . . I'll be fine.

[he's just low on SP, that's all!! he's overdone it a little bit]

[Blandly:]

Yes, I'm sure.

We're taking a short break. And getting a snack.

[oh my god. a laugh]

Senpai is surprisingly authoritative. . .

We won't be able to help anyone--

[He swings the rake again, neatly slamming another zombie into the ground.]

--if you're too worn out. A break will help us help more people. And I don't want anything to happen to you, either.

[well. this isn't an argument he's winning. and it's. . . a little strange, being on this side of things. isn't he usually the one barking out orders. . .?]

[another laugh, and he tightens his grip on the gardening shears, mustering up the last bits of his energy to vault forward and drive the sharp end into the nearest zombie's face, right between the eyes]

[his lack of a verbal response is probably acquiescence enough]

[It is, and Minato just nods to himself approvingly--before he follows suit, backing Akira up and watching his back in equal measure as they take on the remainder of the zombies surrounding them.

It's gross, but with enough effort, they manage to squish their way to victory.]

[the zombies, though bigger and badder than the last group, still go down fairly easily. but by the time the crowd is cleared, Akira is leaning his shoulder against a tree as he heaves in deep breath after breath]

What I wouldn't give for some good coffee right about now. . .

[IN THE MIDDLE OF A ZOMBIE INVASION??]

[A bit of a shrug at that.]

Then let's go make some.

[In the middle of a zombie invasion. He's casual about this.]

[A BREATHLESS LAUGH. . .]

. . . are we sure the area is secure? That there's no one out there who needs our help?

[he doesn't like the idea of just, you know, heading inside and taking a break when someone might be in trouble? but then again, they still haven't met anyone else, so. . . it's probably fine?]

[Minato just quirks an eyebrow at Akira in return, moving towards the diner.]

Will you be able to help people more after a cup of coffee?

[wrinkles his nose! and doesn't reply!! because Minato's right; he just doesn't want to say it]

[falls into step behind the other wild card, gaze still flicking around their surroundings, juuuust in case]

[Good.

To the diner!!

For coffee!!

Though Minato can occasionally hear the shuffling of zombies, they don't actually encounter any more on the way. And as they get to the diner proper:]

How do you like your coffee?

[Akira pauses at the diner door for one last survey, before he slips inside and exhales deeply. Joker's outfit burns away, leaving him dressed in his blood-spattered butler uniform]

. . . black. And you?

Doesn't matter. [oh.]

I'm the one making it for us today. You should sit down.

[So he'll move towards the kitchen, nodding to himself as he rummages for the coffee.]

[. . . . PUSHY!! HE BULLY!!! but Akira just lets out a light huff before sliding into one of the bar seats, arms folded on the counter so he can rest his head against same]

Then at least tell me for my own personal satisfaction.

[HE BULLY.

Affectionately. There are standard coffee noises as he putters around.]

Mm, okay. I also prefer it black, but I like it in pretty much any way.

[every so often he looks over at the door; it's difficult to relax fully, knowing what's happening outside. but once he gets his strength up, they can continue their reconnaissance]

Do you have a favorite blend?

[Poor Akira... at least it doesn't take Minato long to make the coffee; he comes back with it soon enough, setting the cup in front of Akira, his own in his hands.

It smells pretty good! It's not Leblanc levels of coffee, but it is pretty drinkable.]

I can't say I'm that much of a connoisseur, to be honest. I just drank whatever the cafe had on hand.

[it's fine! there's a time and place to be a coffee snob, and now is neither. Akira grabs the mug with a grateful nod of his head and takes a sip]

Remind me to introduce you to some of my favorite blends when we have more time on our hands.

[Oooh...? Minato tilts his head, expression curious.]

You've got favorite blends? You must know a lot about coffee, then.

Mmm. I used to live in the attic of a cafe, after all.

[tapping his foot against the ground, gaze still flickering to the door. he may not be good for coffee conversation like this. . . but at least he isn't chugging down his drink, understanding that he needs to give it time to work its magic and restore his SP]

[Good job, Akira. Minato is steadily drinking his coffee, expression and posture calm.

But he's made sure to keep the rake very close by.]

I guess that would get you to know a lot about coffee... it's a little unusual though, isn't it?

Living in those circumstances, I mean.

[. . . . . .]

[another sip of his coffee, and he doesn't look at Minato]

. . . that's a story for another day.

[when they aren't, you know. FIGHTING ZOMBIES]

[Minato snorts softly at that with faint amusement, but nods. Fair point.]

Another time, then.

For now, we'll focus on the current problem.

[a breathless laugh]

Sorry. I guess I'm not a great conversationalist when I'm worried about other people.

You don't have to be sorry for being focused on what really matters right now.

[Akira's taking a break, and that's all Minato asked from him, after all.]

[another exhale]

. . . you don't feel anxious? Just. . . a little?

Extremely so.

[Oh. His tone is still pretty calm, though.]

I'm really worried and anxious. What if someone's in danger right now? What if it was something we could prevent?

... But in the long term, this is the best choice we can make for the situation we're in. We'll be able to help more people this way.

That's what I'm holding onto.

[. . .]

[he's so. . . calm. in a way, it helps Akira calm down as well, his shoulders slouching as he sips at his coffee some more]

. . .

I can see why you were the leader of your team.

[Minato just sips his own coffee, lips twitching into a faintly amused smile.]

I was only the field leader for my team, though. So don't give me too much credit.

Hah. I only give credit where it's due.

[he drains the last of his coffee, leaving behind a few stray grounds]

I know how hectic the battlefield can get. Having a calm presence really makes a difference.

[Minato sets his own mug down, nodding to Akira.]

Well... I do my best. If I could help calm you down a bit, then... I'm really glad.

[He reaches across the table, offering his hand for a hand clasp.]

We've got a lot of work to do, Akira--let's do our best together.

[ah. . . blinks a bit at the outstretched hand, mouth parting, eyes slightly wide]

[. . .]

[but after a moment, the surprise melts away, and Akira clasps that hand tightly, grip firm]

Are you ready to get back out there?

[he is feeling better!!]

[Minato is too! He nods firmly, drawing his hand back when the gesture is over and done with.]

I'm ready. Let's get going.

[AND THEY RAN OFF TO FIGHT ZOMBIES.

Good boys.]

[do we want more zombie killing, or have we accomplished what we wanted to accomplish with this thread!]

[LET'S MOVE ON

bc I need a sparring thread with you now]

Young master Kurusu.
A word, if you would.

hn? what is it?

In the cognitive world.
What is death's significance?

[. . . ??]

what do you mean?

I am very certain more than one spirit arrived here after dying.

[. . . aha]

yeah. so i've heard. you're not the first person who has brought that up to me.

i don't know what death's significance is in the cognitive world. i know that people can die there, just as they could die outside of it-- after all, you're still YOU, even within the cognitive world.

but i don't know how those who have died before are here now. i mean, i have some theories but they're kind of

[well he doesn't want to mention them for Reasons]

Please elaborate.

[MENTION THEM COWARD]

[. . .]

back home, a. . . friend of mine. he died. and because i didn't see it happen, i thought. . . maybe he was still alive. maybe i would see him again some day.

a few weeks later, i saw him again.

and a few weeks after that. . . i learned that he was just a figment of my cognition.

i'm not saying the people who are here who died are figments of our cognition. they probably aren't. they may just be the same real people they were before passing on.

but that's what happened to me.

[long pause...]

This was my concern as well.
Why do you think it is not so?

[exhale]

the man who brought my desires to life in the first place isn't here.

and he lost his ability to do so, anyway.

Was it only him, who could?
None might replicate it?

yeah. it was just him.

If they are truly present.
How can one "rehabilitate" from death?

i think they are. truly present, i mean.

and i don't know.

[another long, long pause.]

Another question.
What meaning do you attribute to blue butterflies?

[????]

have you seen one?

[sends Akira a picture of a felt butterfly...]

I asked the box what it, or this place, desired from us.

[sitting up a little straighter on his end of the line]

the velvet room?

?

the velvet room is another. . . "place between dream and reality." as far as i know, it's a place where wild cards with the ability to summon multiple personas can go to hone their abilities.

we're not in the velvet room, though. and there are only two people here who can summon personas-- myself and minato.

A blue butterfly is its symbol?

yeah. more or less.

when i went there, my attendant would visit me in the form of a blue butterfly. whenever i saw it. . . i knew the velvet room was calling.

Edited 2021-11-12 16:44 (UTC)

[...]

I am unsure of the implications.

i've been to the velvet room before, but even i'm not certain of the implications.

[is everyone here?? a wild card??? or. . . ???]

Has young master Arisato seen these butterflies as well?

Edited 2021-11-13 17:00 (UTC)

i don't know for sure; i haven't asked.

but i assume so?

I will inquire.

i will, too. a little teamwork doesn't hurt, right?

Do not hesitate to share information or make requests. Will do the same.

i won't hesitate at all; don't worry. i'm not the type to keep important information to myself.

My thanks, again.

Still interested in that spar?

[the good thing about being Kurusu Akira is that even when you have a slightly awkward, slightly intimate moment with someone you like but don't like ~~yet because fuck if I'm not playing pegokita in this game~~, you recover from it quickly!!]

[so when Minato texts him, he is quick to respond]

i thought you'd never ask.

[Minato was trying to break the pocky stick so he hasn't even really registered it as awkward even though their lips absolutely would've brushed if not for the ghost thing.]

Where do you want to meet?

[denied a kiss due to ghost we're really torutring ourselves, here]

the graveyard. i don't think there's enough space anywhere else.

[shhh i'm sad]

Okay, deal.

I'll see you there, then.

[TO THE GRAVEYARD.]

[there's no response, but Akira is waiting the graveyard by the time Minato makes his way there. he is sporting a new look! because prison stripes as his casual outfit super suck]

[when Minato arrives, he'll lift a hand in a two-fingered wave to greet him as he toes at the ground, clearly eager. the pocky from earlier has yet to wear off]

[Minato is still wearing his prison stripes, because he sucks and also doesn't care.

It's fine. Minato waves in response, though he looks around with faint concern.]

... I can't help but feel like sparring in a graveyard is a little disrespectful... but it's true that there's nowhere else, huh?

[. . . one day we're going to need a thread where Akira picks out a different outfit for him]

If you feel it's disrespectful, just remember that a few days ago the corpses here tried to kill us.

[Yes please

There's still a bit of a pinched look on Minato's face in response to that, but he can't argue it, either.]

... It's okay. I'm ready for the spar regardless.

[He pulls out his Evoker! It sure looks like Gun.]

[iiiiit sure does, and there's a difference between being told about it and actually seeing it. Akira pauses, his back instinctively tensing as his gaze flickers towards the Evoker]

[. . .]

[a breath, and Akira squares his shoulders]

Care to take the first move, senpai?

[Minato squares his shoulders too, meeting Akira's eyes firmly.

Then his lips quirk faintly despite himself, and he nods, lifting the Evoker to his temple deliberately. Sorry, kouhai.

He's warned Akira, and now--he's going to go for it.]

Okay then. I will. Here we go.

[And with that? He pulls the trigger.

The first Persona he calls on... is Asura--and Asura opens with an Akasha Arts blow at Akira. It seems he trusts Akira to be able to handle it, at least?]

[he did warn Akira, but even so. . . it's a bit difficult to watch. he can't help the way his breath hitches in his throat as Minato lifts the Evoker to his temple, barrel pressed against skin, finger deliberately resting against the trigger]

[so. . . this is what it means to face death so directly. . .]

[before he can linger on the discomfort any longer, Minato pulls the trigger. glass shatters, and Asura-- a Persona Akira is more than familiar with-- bursts into being to attack. with eyes narrowed and body already prepared to move, Akira leaps out of the way, the physical assault slicing through the air where he once stood. his outfit burns away into Joker's regalia, and by the time he lands a few feet away in a three-point crouch, the vest and boots have been replaced with a leather jacket and red gloves]

[nice opening, senpai. but now it's his turn to follow it up]

Ongyo-Ki!

[another Persona, one drawn from the recesses of Akira's mind, leaps into the field from a whirl of blue flame, weapon extended and blade coursing through the air towards Minato. Myriad Slashes!! seems like Minato's confidence in Akira is reciprocated]

[A return blow comes quickly, as Minato expected; rather than trying to dive tidily out of the way like Akira does, Minato plants his feet, lifts his arm to cover his face, and swaps Personas.

Chi You doesn't completely nullify the Myriad Slashes, but its natural resistances and high defense do a great deal in terms of allowing Minato to brush it off.

Minato drags in a deep breath, straightens again, and lifts his Evoker again.]

Chi You!

[It'll be another familiar Persona for Akira, and another physical attack--Vorpal Blade, this time.]

[another familiar Persona, and this time, Akira feels the one lingering in his own soul resonating with with the presence of Minato's. he can't help himself-- he barks out a laugh before launching himself into a very fancy, very graceful backhand spring to avoid the assault. this time, the Vorpal Blade nicks the edge of his wings, shaving a few centimeters of feathers off the ends, but drawing no blood]

[he lands again, a wide grin stretching across his features]

Not bad, senpai! I'm beginning to think we might have similar tastes!

[but very diverse fighting styles, it seems]

[. . . it's a shame he doesn't have any nuclear attacks in his arsenal, to take advantage of Chi You's (presumed??) weaknesses, but. . . that's okay. instead, Akira-- Joker-- rips his mask off of his features with a dramatic flair, allowing it to burn away at his fingertips as Odin surges forward]

[resistance to physical attacks? that's not problem; Akira is flooding the battlefield with electrical energy in Odin's characteristic Wild Thunder assault]

[he is not holding back]

[... Oh.

Oh jeeze.

Minato feels a similar resonance when Odin appears; his own Odin murmurs warnings in his mind, but it's far too late for that. The electricity singes across the entire battlefield, crackling in the air, and Minato can't do anything but dive out of the way as best he can, tumbling out of the way of the worst of the assault--but not all of it. When he stands again, it's with a wince, and the tell-tale faint twitch of some lingering paralysis.

He shakes it off, though, dragging in a deep breath and straightening as best he can.]

Maybe... we both just have good taste?

[He manages that with a faint smile--he can take a lot more punishment than this, after all.

He summons again.]

Persona!

[He could try fighting fire with fire, so to speak, but that's not terribly interesting; instead, he yanks Metatron to the forefront of his mind and calls him forth.

This time, it's a bufudyne that Akira will have to avoid, the air crystalizing in sheer cold.]

[this spar went from 0 to 100 in no time flat, and Akira finds the tango with danger absolutely invigorating. Minato is a far more formidable opponent than his easygoing demeanor would suggest, and that. . . that is exciting, even without the effects of the chocolate pocky lingering on his mind]

[Akechi would be so offended-- Akira thinks to himself as another ethereal echo resonates with his own Metatron. but his own spirit soars as the air around him turns to ice. . . and this time there's no dodging as shards of frozen water burst into being around him. he curls in on himself, wings folding over his back as he ducks his head under his arms. it's enough to withstand the worst of the assault, but Akira's battle-style is reliant on ducking and dodging enemy attacks, not tanking them head on. his HP may be suffering a little more than Minato's]

[when he emerges, ice covers his wings and feathers in a bright sheen, crystals hanging from the sleeves of his leather jacket. if Minato is choosing to fight with an angel, then. . .]

Satanael!

[he can respond with a demon in kind, can't he? prepare yourself for a Maeigaon assault, senpai!! because tendrils of darkness are starting to surge your way]

[... Oh shit.

Minato doesn't know that attack--he's never seen it before. He doesn't know that Persona, either, though it's awe-inspiring and towering in a way he's never felt before. Something in his chest--his heart?--lurches, in a way that can only be from amazement, sheer and simple...

And then it clicks.

The darkness... it's not an insta-kill, but it's still a darkness based attack, isn't it? But he's got Metatron--

Anyway, it's too little too late. The attack connects even as he tries to stumble back, and this one lays him out flat due to that nasty little weakness hit. He's not down for long--he's immediately trying to push himself up--but that's about all he can do.]

[strike]

[. . . Akira knows he went for the throat on that one, but-- well. he and Minato were both going kind of hard, weren't they? it's only natural for him to strike back with everything he's got; he'd fully expect the other wild card to do the same. to do anything less. . . would just be an insult]

[Minato attempts to struggle to his feet, but with a flash of blue, another Persona is there, standing over him-- Futsunushi, with his many swords hovering at his back and one in his grasp, tip of the blade pointed at the back of Minato's neck]

. . . sorry about that.

[Akira says as he strolls casually forward, red-gloved hands dipped into his pockets]

Are you okay. . .?

[THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID ABOUT HIM ASKING THAT WHILE HE HAS FUTSUNUSHI KEEPING MINATO PINNED AT SWORD-POINT, HONESTLY]

Edited 2021-11-13 22:02 (UTC)

[... Ha. Minato pauses when the sword touches his throat, though he doesn't look terribly alarmed. He tilts his head up, looking at Akira and the Persona both with an arched eyebrow.

And then he rasps out a faint laugh.]

Ha... he asks with his hands in his pockets...

[Honestly. Honestly.]

If you're not taking me very seriously... you'll regret it.

[Because Minato doesn't have the same competitive fire in him as Akira, but he still has a fire. He's still a Wild Card--and so quickly, suddenly, he knocks the blade away, tucks and rolls back up to one knee, and lifts his his Evoker to his temple.

He fires.

It's not just Metatron this time. It's Metatron and Mithra both, and they appear together for only a moment--before suddenly, Akira's going to have a new nasty little thing to avoid.]

[it's not at all that he isn't taking Minato seriously. . . but it is a little bit of arrogance. the confidence of someone who has fought two gods and won. of someone whose normal restraint has been shattered by some chocolate pocky. and he isn't exactly surprised when Minato rises up and fights back, just as any wild card should. with a wave of his hand he dismisses Futsunushi and shuffles through his Persona repertoire for a counter of his own--]

[but. . .]

[before he can settle on one. . . Metatron rises up again, this time with-- with Mithra? and the confidence on Akira's features evaporates in an instant, replaced by slack-jawed confusion and shock. how did he. . .?]

T-- two at once--?

[he utters breathlessly to himself as the dual Personas rise above him, their combined energy launching an Almighty assault his way that he-- well]

[he honesty doesn't have the mind to dodge. with a strangled noise, Akira ducks his head yet again, arms crossed in front of himself, as the Almighty magic slams into him with the force of a ten-ton truck]

[. . . it knocks him clean off of his feet, sends him flying through the air and crashing onto his back hard enough that the wind gets knocked out of him. it's only by serendipity that his wings aren't completely crushed, but he has absolutely lost a few feathers in the wake of taking the hit. they're scattered on the ground around him as he stares up at the ever-hazy daytime sky, eyes wide and just a little bit. . . dazed]

[he's fine, btw. super scuffed up and more than a little bruised but perfectly fine]

Edited 2021-11-13 22:16 (UTC)

[... He might've gone a bit overboard. Minato winces the moment the attack connects and throws Akira back, and he's scrambling to his feet properly immediately, trotting after him with his Evoker raised.]

Hey--Akira? Are you okay?

Sorry, that was a little... [Winces.]

... Kind of overkill?

[MINATO. . .]

[it takes Akira a few moments of silence to regain his bearings, but. . . eventually his brain comes back down to earth as he shakily (painfully) pushes himself up into a sitting position]

. . .

[breathlessly]

Holy shit.

[another pause]

I deserved that.

[omg. Minato shakes his head, and pulls the trigger again. This time, it's another familiar face--Attis, who casts a proper diarahan on Akira.

Then Minato offers his hand.]

I don't know if I'd go that far...

[Minato went overboard.]

You got me first, and honestly very fairly.

[lifts a hand to cover his head instinctively as the healing washes over him, and while the worst of the bruises will ache for days to come. . . at least the Diarahan gives him some relief]

[his mouth twists into a sheepish grin]

I think. . . I got a little carried away.

[. . . and now that hindsight has passed, he can't help but wonder?? why???? well, whatever. it's fine]

That was amazing, Minato.

[Oh... Minato rubs the back of his neck at that.]

I don't know about that... you were pressing me pretty hard, so it was just the first thing I could think of doing.

Sorry.

[a little huff, and Akira finally climbs (wobbily) to his feat]

I'm serious. You're incredible. I've never seen anyone do something like that before-- ever.

[and even before he whipped out the fusion spell, he was still holding his own pretty damn well]

Edited 2021-11-13 22:38 (UTC)

[Minato immediately reaches out to steady him, naturally.]

Oh... the fusion spell? Really?

[... huh.]

I figured it was just a Wild Card thing.

[he's still a little dazed, so he winds up leaning on Minato's shoulder, albeit not too heavily]

Mm, no. I've never been able to summon more than one Persona at a time.

. . . how do you do it?

[He'll gladly keep supporting Akira for as long as he seems to need.]

How...

[Minato looks contemplative at that.]

I've never really thought about it. Just... some Personas have an... affinity, I guess you could say. They know each other. Some of them... are willing to work together with a bit of a nudge.

[almost to himself, but loud enough for Minato to hear]

Mithra and Metatron. . . [a light laugh] I never would've thought to pair those two together.

[Minato rubs the back of his head at that, huffing out a faint noise of his own.]

... I know. I can't take credit for figuring it out, to be honest.

Sometimes it just was a matter of listening to the Personas.

I'm sure you could do it too. You're also a Wild Card.

[a light huff]

I can try, but-- [. . . it might be easier said than done? either way, Akira shakes his head]

[he extends his hand towards Minato's for a shake]

That aside. . . I think that was unequivocally your win.

... Ah.

[He looks even more sheepish at that, somehow, but he still takes Akira's hand to shake it.]

Only thanks to the element of surprise. But... we'll just have to spar again sometime then, right? A fairer match.

[Akira shakes his head]

I think that was already a pretty fair fight. I'm not sure how you make it any more even than that.

[. . . . . . . .]

Hey. . . do you think you could-- I don't know. . . teach me how to use an attack like that one?

I don't see why not.

[Immediately and easily.]

You're a Wild Card too, and I'm sure some of your Personas must have that kind of resonance. After that, it's just a matter of figuring out how to pull them both out at once.

[another nod as his gloved hand slips from Minato's, fingers seeking out his pockets]

I wouldn't expect you to do it for free. If there's anything you want from me in return. . . just ask.

[In return...

Minato's quiet for a long moment as he thinks about that.

... ... ...

He's quiet long enough that it seems that he might not say anything at all.

And then he blurts out:]

How do you manifest your mask? What is it that... makes it appear? How...

[... No, he just shakes his head sheepishly.]

... Sorry, um. That's not exactly what you were offering.

[omg]

Nope. That's exactly what I was offering, actually.

[he lifts a hand and presses same against his heart, fingers splayed]

Then it's a deal, okay? I'll teach you how to summon without your Evoker, and you can teach me how to use two Personas at once.

[more deals with Kurusu Akira!!]

[... Ah. Minato relaxes, shoulders slumping a bit as he offers a faint smile.]

... Okay. It's a deal.

[He reaches out with a hand for another handshake.]

And Akira... thanks. I didn't know something like that was possible. But now... I really hope I can learn how.

[And leave the morbid symbolism behind.]

[another handshake!! they've been shaking hands a lot today, and the thought draws a laugh out of Akira]

[. . .]

[his gaze flickers towards the Evoker, and his expression fades]

. . . it'd be nice to leave that thing behind, wouldn't it?

... Yeah.

[Minato glances at the Evoker as well, before he tucks it into the waistband of his pants.]

I didn't mind dealing with it... when I thought that was the only way. But now that I know there are others...

[He shakes his head.]

I wish I could've saved my team the headache of using these.

[Akira lapses into a thoughtful silence at that, before he draws his gaze up back towards Minato]

. . . can I see it?

Mm, I don't mind.

[Minato tugs the Evoker out, offering it to Akira easily, without hesitation.]

[a silent nod, and Akira takes the device from Minato with a respectful sort of reverence. he holds it like a man used to wielding firearms, his fingers running across the handle and then the barrel, tracing the letters engraved into the metal-- S.E.E.S.]

I never asked. . . but what does S.E.E.S. stand for?

[The Evoker has a similar sort of weight to a real gun, rather than a fake; it's obvious they didn't skimp on a) materials and b) making sure it really felt like holding a gun to your head.]

It stands for... Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad.

[Minato snorts a little, amused despite himself.]

It was the phony school club that Mitsuru-senpai came up with for our Shadow fighting activities.

[Like... nothing about it is a lie.]

[. . . oh my god. specialized extracurricular execution squad. . .]

[Akira laughs, a short, breathless noise as he looks up from the Evoker]

Is it really a phony school club when the name tells it like it is?

I mean, the name's in English, so...

Most people just kind of left it alone. Also, senpai was pretty well known and respected so nobody questioned her.

[a pause]

[and then, thoughtfully]

An Empress?

[btw he's lifting a gun up a bit, pointing the barrel outward (not at Minato), holding the handle without his finger on the trigger]

Edited 2021-11-19 01:03 (UTC)

Got it in one.

[Minato says that much with faint amusement on his face, even as he watches calmly. He won't stop Akira from playing with the Evoker, but he does seem curious to see what he's going to do with it.]

You asked my team's arcanas before. Empress was one of them. Emperor and Hierophant were my other senpai.

Hnnn. . .

[a thoughtful sound, and he lowers the Evoker to his side again]

. . . Chariot, Lovers, Emperor, Priestess, Hermit, Empress, Magician, Faith, Apostle, Hope—

[and. a visible pause, his expression flickering a minute, like he intends to add one more but isn't completely sure about it]

[. . .]

Justice too, I guess. Those were mine.

Edited 2021-11-19 20:44 (UTC)

[Faith? Hope? Apostle? Minato's never had any Social Links with those, but--]

... You're not sure about your Justice link?

[a small shrug and a crooked smile, but Akira says nothing else of it]

[what he does do is finally lift the Evoker upwards and press the barrel firmly, yet cautiously, against his temple. just as he had observed Minato do earlier]

Edited 2021-11-19 20:51 (UTC)

[... Minato falls silent also, observing Akira with the faintest of frowns.

And then, finally, softly:]

... Don't push yourself.

[a pause. his fingers flex around the handle of the Evoker, but he still steers clear of the trigger]

[quietly]

I'm not.

[. . . why would this be pushing himself? he already knows the gun is harmless, that all it will do is drag his Personas into being from the recesses of his mind, just as his mask does. there's no reason for him to be nervous. no reason for him to hesitate. this isn't pushing himself. . . it's him stepping into Minato's shoes for the briefest, most fleeting of moments]

[. . .]

[so. . . why is his heart hammering so loudly in his chest?]

[...

Minato stays quiet at that. If Akira says he won't push himself, then Minato will believe in that.

But... all he can do is wait and see what Akira does, expression calm but a little sympathetic.]

[another breath in. . . another breath out. . .]

[. . .]

Would it even work for me? Since. . .

[you know. he gestures to his mask. there's really only one way to find out, but--]

... Yeah. Of course it would.

[... A beat, and he looks away.]

There's no reason for you to use it though. Not when you already have a better way of summoning.

[. . .]

[he lowers the Evoker without his finger ever having touched the trigger]

I guess. . . you're right.

[it's strange, how in this moment, he feels so weak]

I don't know how you do it.

[... Minato's lips quirk ruefully at that.]

... We do what we have to in the moment. That's... all there is to it. It's nothing special.

[he hands the Evoker back to Minato with a rueful smile of his own]

I hope that one day, you don't need this.

[he will do his best!! to be!! a good Persona summoning teacher!!]

[... Minato rubs the back of his neck at that.]

... Yeah. Thanks. I hope so too.

But in the meantime... it works. So you don't have to worry too much about it.

Easier said than done.

[but. anyway. now that that heavy moment has passed. . .! Akira rolls his shoulder back in a stretch]

Anyway. Want to go another round?

I don't mind--if you don't mind that I'm not going to be any better this time around.

. . .

He says, after completely kicking my ass. . .

[Minato covers up a snort with one hand at that, shaking his head.]

I didn't... I just got lucky and took you off guard.

But--let's give it another go, okay?

[his lips twitch into a grin, something sharper than his normal smiles]

Right. Let's go.

[don't mind Joker as he takes a few steps back, coattails swishing, and links his hands together before lifting them above his head in an easy stretch]

[He certainly does not mind! Minato takes a singular step back himself, taking in a deep breath and sliding a thumb over the side of his Evoker quietly.

And then:]

Your move first.

[well]

[what better way to open things than with a bang?]

[a sharp exhale. . . and Satanael rises forth yet again, wings unfolding behind Akira, spread regally from side to side. with one hand extended, thumb and forefinger extended like that of a gun, Joker shouts--]

Satanael!

[and starts things off with another Maeigaon. WHY DOES HE GO SO HARD SO QUICKLY!]

[AKIRA GOES SO DANG HARD.

Minato looks a little startled despite himself, even though he should realize that this is how Akira is--but he stumbles back, reaching into his mind hastily for Thanatos, and then brushes off the darkness attack. He still looks a little frazzled, but nonetheless, he flicks the Evoker to his temple.

... Thanatos is safe, right? Or, at least... he feels as though the symbolism, while it won't escape Akira, won't cause any alarm bells.

And he's out of time, so he has to--]

Thanatos, come!

[He fires, and Thanatos launches itself at Akira for a nasty physical swipe with its sword, a sharp Vorpal Blade.]

[LIFTS HANDS TO THE SKY. FINALLY!!!!]

[Minato tanks the attack extremely well for how badly it had knocked him off kilter the last time, and Akira can't help but think to himself-- fool him once, shame on me. fool him twice--]

[. . . and then. . .]

[as Satanael fades back into the recesses of his mind. . . Minato drags out something new. a Persona Akira has never seen before, not even within the depths of his own compendium. a majestic creature who rises up with confidence, with purpose, with power even greater than that of Metatron and Mithras's combined assault]

[much like Minato had been awed by Satanael's first appearance. . . Akira finds his own expression slackening in the same star-struck admiration for the second time this fight]

Ah--

[Thanatos. the name doesn't escape him. and despite his momentary distraction, neither does the attack]

-- shit.

[he was taken off guard by the fusion assault, but he won't let that happen again. not even as Thanatos barrels onto the field with a physical assault powerful enough to send him flying. this time, he has Satanael at his side, and one hefty physical resistance to back up his defense. with teeth grith, Akira digs his heels into the ground and braces for the assault]

[it slams into him just as hard as the last attack had, but. . . this time, he isn't thrown back. the force of the blow does send him skidding back a few feet, heels dragging a few inches into the earth. and when the assault ends, and Thanatos pulls back. . .]

[Akira sucks in a sharp breath and lifts his head, eyes still gleaming, as a small cut on his cheek leaks a tiiiiny bit of scarlet]

You're-- you're full of surprises, aren't you senpai--?

[... Minato isn't surprised that it doesn't really win him the fight. He leans heavily on Thanatos, but Akira isn't a normal, standard enemy he'd fight. Akira's a Wild Card, and a talented one at that.

And with that Persona--Satanael--at his side... Minato's not surprised that he can take an attack like that and stay standing.

But rather than respond to that, he just huffs out a breath and reaches for his Evoker again. He's gotta push whatever little advantage he's got.]

Persona!

[It's not Thanatos again. He's shuffled already, and this time it's Satan--and rather than a physical assault, he's going AOE with a maragidyne.]

[. . . and then they're back to the familiar, and Akira barks out a laugh as he sweeps an arm in front of himself like a shield]

Chi You!!

[the Persona leaps forward, shield first, to block the Maragidyne, flames licking the edges of that shield and scattering them from side to side. when the assault dies down, and Chi You vanishes, Akira-- is gone]

[. . . well. not gone, per se. . . but he is swooping down on Minato from the side with a sweeping kick, aiming to knock his senpai off balance while he's distracted by the lingering flames of Satan's assault]

[... Oh.

Minato's not expecting it at all. He whips his head around with a tight frown, Evoker still in hand as he looks for Akira--

And then Akira's there, and that sweeping kick is perfectly on target. Minato hits the ground back first with a quiet "oof", but he's not about to take Akira's sudden change in tactics lying down.

Which is why he immediately rolls, wrapping his arms around Akira's legs to try to take him down too.]

[well. that tactic works; Minato has a hold of Akira's legs before he can dart out of the way to avoid being taken down too. and suddenly they're both tumbling to the ground in a pile of flailing limbs and coattails, and Akira is-- well. he's laughing as he goes, of course]

[He's laughing, but Minato's not quite done. He just pushes, shoves and rolls, until he's perched on top of Akira, straddling him a bit above his hips, closer to his stomach.

And then with an amsued huff:]

Even pinned like this... I haven't won at all, have I? You'd be able to knock me right off if you wanted to.

[Akira's so... flippy and strong.]

[Akira is pushing and shoving back!! but eventually. . . he lands flat on his back with a light oof, arms sprawled to the sides and hair completely disheveled. he's still grinning despite himself, seemingly totally unconcerned about the weight against his hips, or the fact that to an outside viewer this strange position could seem a bit. . . ah. compromising]

[he flashes a smile right back up at Minato, corners sharp, eyes gleaming]

Hm. . . ~ I guess we could find out.

[a pause. . .]

But there's something I want to ask you first.

[...?

Minato tilts his head at that.]

Hm? What is it?

[pushes himself up onto his elbows. not enough to knock Minato off or anything, just enough so he's upright again]

. . . Thanatos.

Can I see that one again?

[His lips part for a moment... and then press together again, this time in a rueful little smile.]

... Yeah. I don't mind.

[He will get off of Akira first, though he just sits next to Akira on the ground and reaches for his Evoker.

... He fires, and Thanatos hovers behind him, quiet and looming.]

[. . . there he is. just as majestic and powerful as before, and Akira slowly climbs to his feet once the Persona has been re-summoned. and this time, there's no fleeting attack, no physical assault, to distract him from getting a good look]

[the symbolism isn't lost on him. Thanatos, the Greek personification of death, and Minato's Persona encompasses that in droves. the coffins at his back, the skull and crossbones at his belt, the looming, almost dark aura. . .]

[it's. . . mesmerizing. it's dangerous, but it's also. . .]

[hm. something else Akira can't put into words]

[quietly, but loud enough for Minato to hear as he takes a step towards Thanatos, gaze focused]

This one. [he says with a slight tilt of his head] . . . this one is you. Right?

[in the same way Arsene and Satanael are Joker. right. . .?]

[... Ha. Minato huffs out a faintly amused breath at that, before he nods. He's still seated, and Thanatos allows Akira to approach without moving, hovering there as quietly and sinisterly as ever.]

Yes. That's right. Him... and Orpheus. They're both me.

[. . .]

Mmm. . . I can feel it.

[he can't explain it, but he can, in that way a wild card just knows]

[a small laugh, laced with a noise that almost sounds admiring]

One who faced death to retrieve that which he loved, and the embodiment of death itself. . . fitting. But--

[but--]

[he doesn't finish that thought. instead, as he stops a mere few footsteps away from Thanatos, his fingers twitch. he lifts his hand in the air, palm facing forward, and holds it there, hovering in front of Thanatos's head]

[Minato's quiet for a long moment, as Akira speaks and as he reaches out. But he remains still, and so does Thanatos, awaiting Akira's decision.

And as he does, Minato, almost as if he doesn't dare to breathe, murmurs:]

... You're not-- [Afraid? Daunted? Horrified?]

--bothered by him?

[He's curious about the "but", but... this has to be said first.]

[immediately]

Of course not.

[that's all he says before he moves forward, pressing his hand palm flat against Thanatos's face, should both the Persona and Minato allow him to do so]

In a way. . . he's beautiful.

[fellas is it gay to call your senpai's soul persona beautiful]

[They do allow for it! Thanatos remains there, hovering--his head smooth and his expression eerily unchanging.

Minato's expression changes though.

It flickers, his lips parting in slight but notable surprise.

... Ah...]

I--oh.

[He wasn't prepared for that at all and it shows. A moment later, he ducks his head, clears his throat, and:]

... Um. You were about to say something before. "But"--but what?

[Akira is so focused on Thanatos that he misses the way Minato's mouth falls open. he can hear the bemusement in his senpai's tone, however; it merely draws a light little huff from Akira]

Hn? Ah. . . that.

[he also totally keeps his hand pressed against Thanatos's. . . face? kind of petting it like one might pet a horse. okay, Akira]

It just-- [. . . is there a polite way for him to ask this??]

Our Personas are a crystallization of who we are, aren't they? Especially ones like Satanael, or Thanatos. So. . .

[tilts his head at Minato]

. . . why is everything about your Journey so intrinsically tied to Death?

[he means the Arcana, btw]

[There is no polite way to ask that, and Minato stills for a moment. Thanatos flickers, as their Personas do when they don't retain great focus on them--before he stabilizes again underneath Akira's touch.

And quietly, Minato closes his eyes, breathing out a slow sigh.]

... That's... a complicated question.

I'm... not sure how to answer it.

[ah. . . right. keeping Thanatos maintained in this form must be using up a lot of SP. Akira flashes Minato an apologetic look before he withdraws his hand, signaling that it's fine if Minato recalls his Persona before he passes out from exhaustion]

[. . .]

[and that answer. . .]

[. . .]

Well.

[Akira's tone is carefully, purposefully light]

If you ever want to try, you know where to find me.

[the pieces are starting to come together, and Akira isn't sure he likes the picture they're beginning to form]

[Thanatos fades away, and Minato drags in a deep breath and slowly lets it out. His eyes remained closed, and finally, softly, he murmurs:]

Death... represents a change. A dramatic change, usually. Often, a change in thinking, from one state to another.

[...]

When I started my Journey... I didn't care about anything. Nothing... at all.

By the end... [His lips quirk ruefully.]

... I learned how to care... about everything.

[...and then he takes another deep breath, and as he lets it out, his shoulders slump.

He drops his Evoker to his lap.]

... That's... all I feel like I can tell right now. It's not that I don't want to tell you. It's just...

[It's just--]

I'm still figuring it all out myself.

[Minato can't see, not with his eyes closed, but. . . a heavy pressure suddenly rests against his shoulder. and if he opens his eyes--]

[he'll find Akira crouching down next to him, one hand resting gently, warmly, against that shoulder, fingers lightly squeezing in a gesture that is meant to be comforting]

[. . .]

[Akira says nothing. but at times, he doesn't feel like he has to]

[... And Minato lifts his head a bit, opening his eyes and turning to look at Akira, the wry, rueful quirk of his lips still present.]

... When I figure it out... I'll tell you.

Okay?

[. . .]

Okay.

[Akira returns that expression a soft smile of his own. for now. . . that's enough]

Hey. You patted Thanatos a few days ago and it was cute. I feel like I should return the favor.

So on a scale of 1-10, what are your most pat-able Personas?

[Apparently he's been thinking about this.]

[wh]

[what]

[what is happening. why does he have this text. is he hallucinating]

uuuuh

kohryu gets a ten, probably?

[Kohryu is his only pat-able persona]

Kohryu...

[Nods to himself thoughtfully.]

That's a good choice, but what about your Personas? You know. The ones that are just you. One's Satanael, right?

[oh. oh no]

satanael is the only one i have on me. the other was arsene, but his hat would probably get in the way.

[hmmmmm]

Guess it just has to be Satanael then.

That's okay. I can make that work.

well.

if you really want to, i won't stop you. but you don't have to make a big deal of it or anything.

[he just!! like!! was following his instincts with Thanatos!!]

I wasn't trying to... it just felt like I should return the favor.

It felt kind of nice? That you wanted to for Thanatos, I mean.

i guess i couldn't help myself.

i was just. . . impressed by him, you know? even though he nearly kicked my ass.

Huh... Thank you. Seriously. Thanatos is special to me.

But I didn't mind it. I don't know, it's kind of nice to acknowledge each other's Personas. Besides, I didn't get a good look at Satanael either, really.

He was too busy kicking my ass too.

[okay, that makes Akira laugh]

i'm taking a break by the library if you want to swing by. having more teammates means i have a lot less work to do.

Good. Expecting you to take care of everything here for this many people was ridiculous to begin with.

I'll see you in a little bit.

[And true to his word! He swings by the library in a few more minutes. He is wearing a bunny kigurumi]

[Akira can be found by the computers, playing some Oregon Trail while dressed as a pirate. Minato has seen this outfit!!]

[when he notices Minato, he looks up, and--]

What.

...Hm? What?

[???]

[. . .]

[evenly]

Do you want a carrot?

If you've got one, I'll take it.

[Casually.

Easily.

He steps closer.]

[his lips twitch]

Heeeere, Peter Rabbit. C'mere, Peter Rabbit.

[wtf

Minato just quirks an eyebrow at that, propping his hands on his hips.]

What do you have against rabbits...?

[grins]

Nothing. I think they're cute.

Oh.

Well.

Thanks, I think.

[He shrugs a bit, and finally comes over properly.]

It was the first kigurumi I saw so I grabbed it.

[raises a brow]

Why'd you go straight for a kigurmi and not-- ah. . .

[gestures at his pirate outfit]

[Blinks blandly and, just as blandly:]

Cozy and comfy.

Good to nap in.

Uuuuh huh.

[popping to his feet, hands linked together so he can stretch]

We need to find you some real clothes.

[excuse]

What's wrong with what I'm wearing?

[. . .]

[reaches out to (gently) tug a bunny ear. he doesn't answer]

[He fails to see the problem.]

... So long as I'm comfy, I don't really mind what I'm wearing. But I guess we can go look together if you want to.

You're such an easygoing guy.

[lightly amused as he tugs on the other ear]

But sure. Let's take a side trip to the costume shop.

[I mean he knows Minato is here to pat Satanael but he isn't gonna bring that up!!]

[too bad, Minato hasn't forgotten.]

You have to show off Satanael first, though. Then we can go clothes shopping.

Oh. Right.

[scuffs his toes against the ground with a small grin]

The library is probably a little too small for this, though.

Oh--yeah. We should probably step outside, huh?

[sweeps an arm in front of himself with a slight bow. how gentlemanly!!]

After you.

[So gentlemanly!!

Minato looks amused and touched in equal measure, but does step outside, holding the door for Akira.

Out you go, kouhai.]

[out he goes!! and he's stretching a little, one arm crossed across his torso with the other loops around same]

[once they're a good distance from the library. . .]

Ready?

Very ready.

[Thumbs up.]

Let's see the Persona of your soul, Akira. [that sounds... too sultry]

[. . . laughs, knuckles pressed against his mouth, but-- with a flash of blue, his outfit burns away for Joker's standard black jacket getup]

[and a few moments later, Satanael rises into being behind him, as regal and intimidating as he has ever been]

[Aha...

Minato steps back for a moment, but it's only so he can get a better look at Satanael. Hmmm... Hmmm...!!

Then he starts to circle around him, just to get a good look.]

... Really... really impressive, you know that, Akira? He's really cool.

[Satanael hovers with his wings fluttering slightly, his rifle held in both hands, fingers curling around the barrel. his eyes follow Minato as he walks, but he seems pretty calm!]

[likely because Akira is, despite the strain of keeping a Persona manifested. his lips curve into a smile, hands dipping into the pockets of his jacket]

Thanks.

. . . just the thing I needed to take down a god, you know?

[how else do you punish an angel but with a demon lord?]

[... He's...

Really cool but also--]

Mm, that makes sense...

[Minato sounds distracted, because he is! He... stands on his tiptoes! Even reaching as best he can, he Cannot Reach Satanael's head.]

[there is. a pause]

[and then Satnael crouches down?? to Minato's level??? hello senpai!!]

[omg

Thank you, Persona.

Minato hums, lightly pleased, and then reaches up to pat him. Right between his horns.

Pat! Pat! Pat!]

[omg]

[Satanael accepts the pats with mild bemusement, though it isn't immediately obvious on his Persona-y features. Akira, however, tilts his head to watch the entire thing, lips twitching slightly in amusement]

[Minato remembers how much effort it was to keep Thanatos out long term, so he only gives Satanael a few more quick pats before he pulls back to walk back to Akira's side.]

Thanks. Things feel a bit more balanced now.

And I'm happy to have been able to get a better look at the Persona that represents you the most.

[a sharp exhale when Minato pulls back, and with a wave of his hand, Satanael vanishes. it's like an entire weight has been lifted off of his shoulders. . . and Akira finally relaxes]

Oh yeah?

[lightly, teasingly]

Did you learn anything new about me?

[Oh... Minato looks thoughtful at that for a moment, inspect Akira with his head slightly tilted to one side.

And then he nods.]

Yeah, I think I did.

I think... I've got a terribly powerful kouhai. [He reaches up to ruffle Akira's hair.]

But Satanael--he's supposed to know the difference between right and wrong more than anyone, right? So it's not anything I'm worried about at all.

[He knows Akira will only use his power in the right ways, for the right reasons.]

[— a startled noise escapes Akira's lips as Minato reaches up to ruffle his hair. he is so taken off guard that he only manages to draw back a little bit, unable to avoid the worst of the HAIR ASSAULT!!]

Wh—

[blinks]

[blinks some more]

[???!?!!!!!?!!!!]

— did you just ruffle my hair?

[LIFTS A HAND TO FLATTEN HIS TOUSLED HAIR??]

[Minato just blinks placidly.]

Yeah. Is that bad?

[HE HAS NEVER FELT MORE LIKE A KOUHAI THAN HE DOES IN THIS MOMENT]

[huffs a little, stuff baffled but now amused, and continues to flatten his feathery hair]

[it refused to behave]

[..... cute... it's cute.

Minato's lips twitch, but otherwise he won't point it out.]

So. Clothes shopping?

[CLESRS HIS THROAT]

Mmmyep. Let's hope all the good stuff hasn't been picked over yet.

[he waves his hand to the side and Joker's getup vanishes, replaced again by the pirate outfit]

What are we feeling like today? A princess? A buccaneer?

[Just tilts his head at that, wrapping his arms around himself.]

... Kigurumi.

[which he is still wearing

you're no fun, minato]

It's cozy.

[IMMEDIATELY]

So, furry. Got it.

[??]

It's more fuzzy than furry.

[he doesn't get it]

[. . .]

[IS SENPAI SHELTERED]

Nevermind. Here we are.

[time to slip inside the masquerade shop!!]

[Yeh, about furry culture, at least.]

Okay, let's see...

[... so much clothing. Minato automatically gravitates towards the school uniforms, but seeing as how they're costumes.

They are all.

Skirts.]

[this is probably for the best]

[Akira notices that and drifts towards them as well, fingers extended to toy with a bit of skirt cloth]

Huh. . . I never took you for the type, senpai.

[teasing!!]

But it would be cute on you.

[... ????]

Oh. I didn't notice the skirt.

[Huh...]

... I'm not so sure I could pull it off.

You didn't notice the skirt. . .

[lightly. entertained??]

Do you want to try it?

I...

[Looks at Akira blandly.]

You know? Sure. I can try it on. But I'm warning you I'm not going to pull it off.

[meets Minato's gaze firmly with his own]

[and tosses him the skirt]

[Minato catches the skirt.

Looks at it.

Looks at Akira.

And goes to go change behind some racks of clothes.]

[THIS MAY AS WELL HAPPEN]

[turns away to give Minato some privacy, covering his amused grin with his hand as he does so]

[Minato returns too quickly.

The skirt has been put over the kigurumi. It shows off none of his figure because the kigurumi is the most unflattering outfit ever.

Blandly:]

Tah-dah.

[turns around]

[AND HE MCFUCKING LOSES IT]

[Minato's expression does not change. He just blinks slowly, and then continues just as blandly as before:]

It's not nice to laugh at someone's appearance.

I told you I wouldn't be able to pull it off.

[it]

[takes him a moment to collect himself tbqh, and when he finally does, he clears his throat and schools his expression]

Don't be ridiculous.

You look beautiful.

[................. blinks again.]

Oh.

Thanks. I guess it feels comfy enough.

[can u even feel it over the kigu...]

It looks comfy, too. I guess that's all that matters.

[snrks a little to himself again before he turns back to the racks to look for, like. . . an actual outfit]

[Minato just shrugs a bit and follows.

What are we looking at first here.]

[a steampunk inspired outfit, it seems! he glances from it to Minato and back again with a thoughtful noise]

How do you feel about steampunk fantasy?

[oh my god

minato stares at it and then tilts his head]

It looks too grand and fantastical for someone like me, to be honest.

[buddy]

You're a lot grander and more fantastical than you give yourself credit for. Here.

[tossing the costume at Minato]

[He catches it.

And.

Starts to put it on over the skirt and the kigurumi--]

[oh my GOD]

[just lets this happen tbqh]

Nice. Very fashionable, senpai.

Edited 2021-11-29 16:37 (UTC)

[He now looks like a marshmallow under that steampunk coat.

Carefully, he puts the hat on.]

Thanks.

I feel very toasty and warm.

[Maybe a little too much.]

[. . . . . . . . this is just TOO FUNNY]

I bet you do. Try not to melt underneath all those layers, okay?

I can't make any promises.

It's really toasty.

... Really toasty.

Whyyy don't you try one layer at a time, then?

For science.

[Minato snorts vaguely at that.]

Yeah, well... Okay.

[He'll disappear behind a rack again. When he comes back out, it's in this.

Akira did say one at a time.

He is not wearing the heels, just the socks. He is wearing the tie though.]

[turning around to give Minato a bit of privacy!! but once he is done changing, he cranes his head over his shoulder and--]

[he was prepared for Minato in the skirt the FIRST time around, but not this time around, and he has to take a moment to]

[stare]

[NO AKIRA BE POLITE]

[evenly, his expression not wavering]

Very sexy, senpai.

[Blandly:]

Thanks. That's the first layer. Does it suit me?

[he's androgynous enough to pull it off but he's not trying hard enough to pull it off.]

[honestly he pulls it off far better than even Akira thought he would, and that is why he is making sure to stare directly at Minato's face annnnnd not at his legs]

Truthfully speaking? It looks pretty good on you.

[his lips twitch into a small smile]

But matters most is how comfortable you feel in it.

Oh... thanks.

[The sincere appraisal does seem to make him a little bashful; he looks away, smoothing down the skirt with a hand.]

It's probably not something I'd wear on a daily basis, to be honest... I'll go try on the one you picked out instead.

[OFF HE GOES somewhat hastily.]

[wwwwatching him go]

[. . .]

[sneaks a small peek at his ass in that skirt before swiftly turning away. BE GOOD, AKIRA]

[Minato is oblivious.

Live your dreams, Akira. Anyway, after a few moments he returns in the steampunk outfit Akira picked out for him.

He loooooks ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. But in a kind of cute sort of way.]

[HE IS NOT HAVING ANY DREAMS HE IS JUST A HEALTHY YOUNG MAN AND MINATO IS, OBJECTIVELY, AN ATTRACTIVE INDIVIDUAL. SO SUE HIM]

[but the moment passes as quickly as it arrived, and Akira appraises his senpai in that new steampunk outfit with lips tugged downward into a frown]

Noooot quite. . . let's see. Maybe something more like--

[and he pulls out this!]

[Minato tilts his head at that, but accepts the new costume with a nod.

Back behind the racks to change!

When he comes out he's wearing the tunic and the leggings.

And the steampunk hat.

It shouldn't work, but it kind of does.]

Any better?

[. . . WHY THE HAT MINATO!! but honestly? Akira gives him a thumbs up]

Much better.

And the hat is a very nice touch.

[Minato just tips the hat. And, simply:]

I like it. You gave it to me.

[opens mouth]

[closes it again]

Ah. . .

[it's not. that special?? he though BUT WHAT DOES HE SAY TO THAT!!]

[Minato doesn't seem to be expecting a response at least.]

Do you need to look for more clothes while we're here? It feels like I shouldn't be the only one playing dress up.

[. . . clears his throat and looks away! lifting a hand to tug at his bangs, slightly bashful]

I feel like it's only fair that you pick out something for me in return.

[... the bashful bang tugging is really cute...

Focus Minato.]

Oooohhh, okay. Let me see.

[Time to go wander the store!!

Eventually he will pull this from the rack. The quality is only Okay, but even so...]

... I bet you'd look really nice in something like this.

[. . . huh. he actually kind of likes that style! it reminds him a bit of Joker's jacket, only less "cool and slick rebel" and more "suave and gentlemanly phantom thief."]

[his lips curve into a grin]

I'm willing to give it a try. It might even go with the outfit I have now.

[PIRATE WEAR but with a cool coat!]

[...!! Minato hands it over willingly at that.

Oh boy!]

Okay, that's--good. I'm glad that you like it.

[Akira slips the jacket on easily over the pirate costume. and what do you know!! it looks pretty great, actually!!]

Ooooh. I feel so fancy.

[adjusting the cuffs of the jacket as he says this]

[... Huh...

Minato pauses, blinking a little, and then clears his throat.

... Akira looks a lot better than he was expecting, even.]

You really make it look natural, almost... you look great.

[not noticing that look as he adjusts his jacket, tugging on the lapels]

Thanks. I'll take it.

This feels like a pretty successful shopping trip.

I'd say so too. Thanks for doing this with me.

[Minato shrugs a little.]

I didn't think it was a big deal, but... it actually does feel a lot better to have more options than the prison stripes.

Yeah? I think anything would feel better than those.

[smoothing out his jacket. he really likes it. . .!]

But an outfit can go along way to brightening someone's spirits.

[He's so pleased by this, lowkey.]

You're right. I'll be sure to wear mine more too.

We're making the best of things here, and I'm glad.

Well, now that we're all decked out for the day ahead, why don't we go hang out at the pool bar? I'm itching for a game of darts.

Mm... okay. That sounds good.

Let's do it. Just don't expect me to be any good yet.

[then they go and play a game of darts again???

is there anything else we should do here]

[NOPE. THIS HAS BEEN ANOTHER EPISODE OF PROTAGS BONDING]

[BELL GETTING RUNG INCESSANTLY]

Edited 2021-11-24 04:40 (UTC)

[popping into existence behind whatever counter of whatever building Gojo is in right now and]

[immediately reaching out to swipe the bell from him]

[idk the hotel works.

and Gojo is just bapping his hand instead of the bell now.]

[BELLBOY AKIRA IT IS]

[whaps at Gojo's hand in return cuz two can play this game]

[i guess they're just smacking at each other's hands, then]

[BAAAAAABY FIGHT]

[while he is trying to smack Gojo's hands--]

Can I help you?

[the hilarious thing being that because of Limitless, none of the slaps actually hit]

Yeah, I need you to bully someone. You Warden helpers take on hits, right?

[. . . INTEREST: PIQUED]

For the right price, sure. Go on.

Geto Suguru.

[. . . interesting!]

Job accepted. Any specific bullying requests?

Yeah. Bully him out of your cellblock.

[. . . aha]

Hn. You're not happy he swapped?

Understatement.

It's fucking stupid of him and it's one hundred percent him pulling the same shit he did back home.

[HE MAD!!! but like. PRODUCTIVELY!]

. . . you're a friend of his, then?

[keeping his tone carefully neutral, but he's sensing an OPPORTUNITY, here]

No, I'm his worst enemy--why else would I be saying "bullying"? Of course he's my friend.

[gives him a LOOK]

Has he told you why he swapped in the first place?

Yeah. He has this stupid idea that's basically "Well, the shitty ancient sorcerer can't put Satoru into a box if he can't use my body and he can't use my body if Satoru doesn't execute me on orders from the elders, so I guess I'll just stay here and it'll all be fine!"

Which is, as I said before, stupid!

[HE LOOKS IMMENSELY RELIEVED ALL OF A SUDDEN]

Good. So I'm not the only one who thinks he's a total moron.

This is the same idiot who took one look at how bad the situation is back home and came to the conclusion "You know what will help kids getting killed? KILLING PEOPLE WHO CAN'T DEFEND THEMSELVES AND THEREFORE BASICALLY, ESSENTIALLY CHILDREN COMPARED TO A SORCERER!"

It's all just a long bullshit way to a known end!

[HE HAS NOT BITCHED ABOUT THIS TO ANYONE, PLEASE UNDERSTAND. ACTUALLY, HE DOESN'T CARE IF YOU UNDERSTAND HE'S JUST MAD! SAD! SMAD!]

[GUESS WHO DOES UNDERSTAND? THIS GUY!!! WHY??? BECAUSE NOT ONLY DID GETO TELL HIM ABOUT THIS, HE HAS HIS OWN GETO BACK HOME!!! WHY DO WE LIKE ASSHOLES, GOJO??? WHY!!!]

[he sucks in a sharp breath, gaze narrowing]

I heard about that. Mmm. . . from Geto himself.

[his hands ball into fists]

But even if he did something stupid, that doesn't mean he should run away.

[so yes he and Gojo are in AGREEMENT]

[WHY DO WE LIKE ASSHOLES!?!?! well tbf, Geto used to be a decent dude just FUCKED UP SHIT.]

And even if he did something stupid, he just flat-out doesn't think we can use a damn wish or something to undo it? Do things better? Or at least not off on his own?

Edited 2021-12-02 03:49 (UTC)

[sometimes ur name is Gojo or Akira and you just have bad taste]

Well, I can't blame him for not wanting to use a "wish" from our captor to fix his mistakes-- [THERE'S. A SMALL TOUCH OF BITTERNESS IN THOSE WORDS, it's clear Akira does not believe in the legitimacy of said wish]

-- but he can do things better, can't he? And choosing to run means not even trying.

[and that just pisses him off!!]

You think I like the idea of using a wish?

You know what drives me crazy? He gets to go off and say "oh, well, the future's fucked because of me, so I'll just stay here!" but can I say that? No. Because I'm the strongest and I have to be there or else everything still goes to shit! Just sooner!

And then if you get into the ten years of the future thing in the first damn place. Y'know, it's not great, but he's dead. And I'm the one who fucks up enough that someone takes advantage and all my plans for change and reform go to shit because the world's ending and the only thing I can bank on is that I picked out like... I dunno, 9 or 10 decently powerful students who might be able to hold the fort while I'm out for the count?

And yet, I'm the one who's being unreasonable?

[. . . G O D]

You sound like you could use a drink.

I don't drink alcohol. Tastes bad.

I didn't mean it literally.

[a wave of his hand]

I'm just empathizing, I guess. It sounds. . . pretty complicated.

Good. 'Cause it also fucks me up even more because my eyes see everything and no one wants that level of drunken goggles.

But yeah. Understatement.

[s-snorts lightly at "drunken goggles"]

[and then pauses]

. . . I'm not going to encourage him to leave Echidna, if only because he came here for a reason and I want to respect that.

[BESIDES HE ALSO LIKES GETO, ALL THINGS CONSIDERED]

But I told him that he should go home. I want him to go home. [another pause] So if you need help convincing him somehow, then-- I'm your guy.

[that's all well and good but HE'S SCOWLING ABOUT THAT FIRST PART.]

It was a stupid reason.

Yeah, well. I don't think he locked himself out of going home by joining Echidna, either. So.

[stupid reasons or not, Geto can stay!!]

Besides, the more you try to force someone to do something, the more they resist.

You don't think I already know that?

[sounds like it should be said snappishly, but instead it's just tired.]

[hahaha. . .]

[there's a pause, and Akira eventually looks away, fingers dipping into his pockets]

I knew someone who was like him. Know someone. A-- friend, from back home.

Righteous type, huh.

[half to himself, half aloud]

The dictionary definition of the Justice card.

Tarot, huh.

... yeah, kinda like that. 'Cept fucked up.

Mmm. Tarot's been a pretty big factor in my life.

[that's vague, but it's hard to explain Confidants to a non-Wild Card, so that's what Gojo is getting]

. . . anyway. I tried pretty hard to get him to realize his blind anger and thirst for revenge would only ruin his life. I just--

[a helpless little shrug]

Knew too little, found out the whole story too late, to. . . [save him? does that sound self-absorbed?? probably a little]

[wow, dislike having these things in common????]

... yeah, sounds familiar.

Mmmm.

[what else can he say? same hat, Gojo. same hat]

[yeah, except bitching about general things from home is different from Actual Shit That Actually Matters And Can Be Seen, so now he doesn't even know what to say and this is just Awkward.]

... so, anyway, he's stupid and you should bully him more.

[haha. ha!! aha. . .]

[there's a very long pause before he replies]

Yeah. Next time I see him, I'll do just that.

Good.

Just don't tell him I put you up to it or something.

[this is the smile of someone who was answering for Akechi but just now understands that Gojo means Geto, so]

It'll be our little secret.

[why would Gojo mean anyone other than Suguru--i mean no shut up it means nothing.]

Cool. Then my business is done here.

[SHUT UP THEY AREN'T HAVING A MOMENT OR ANYTHING!!]

You sure? There isn't anything else you want form me while you're here?

Nah. That was it.

Mind if we talk whenever you've got a minute?

[by now he has probably mostly recovered from yesterday's shenanigans, with much thanks to Minato!! so he shoots back a text fairly easily]

sure. what's up?

Edited 2021-12-11 22:40 (UTC)

Just... anything in general. Can we meet up somewhere? Things are kind of a little suffocating in the dorms.

[. . . ah. . .]

sure. how about our usual place?

[and for a moment, he thinks it's pretty cool that they even have one of those]

[... it makes Minato smile a little to himself too.]

Yeah, that sounds perfect. I'll see you there.

Thanks, Akira.

okay. see you soon.

[and, as promised! Akira is waiting in the pool hall when Minato arrives, bent over a pool table as he plays a game by himself, dressed in the pirate getup + the red jacket Minato picked out for him the other day]

[Minato's in the renaissance-esque outfit that Akira helped him pick out before, Evoker tucked in the waistband of his pants.

When he steps in, he pauses... to

admire

Akira bent over the pool table.

Listen, he's pretty.

But then he catches himself, shaking his head and moving in further.]

[WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS WHERE AKIRA CAN'T SEE, MINATO!! DAMN IT!!!]

[but it's after Minato steps into the pool hall that Akira notices he isn't alone, and he straightens to greet his friend with the pool cue held in one hand]

Do you want to talk over a game?

[he nods in the direction of the pool table]

[yeah he sucks.

Anyway, Minato just tilts his head, before he nods a little and goes to fetch a pool stick.]

Okay, sure. You're used to putting up with me not being very good at these games.

[a small laugh]

You're not as bad as you think you are. Besides, we were all beginners.

[gathering up the billiards balls to set them up for a new game]

Thanks for preserving my ego.

[Minato just sounds amused more than anything, though. He'll just lean on his pool stick and wait for Akira to set everything up, because Akira knows what he's doing.]

Don't worry. I've got your back.

[he says evenly as he sets up the stack of billiards balls. and voila!! he's done!! care to break the triangle, Minato?]

[He will gladly! When it is clear that Akira is letting him have the first go, he carefully lines up his pool stick and...!!

Assuming that Akira helped him with the basics last time they played, he hits cleanly!

And breaks the triangle, but no balls go into any holes.]

[Akira did help him, so! work on that form, Minato! Akira makes a slightly impressed noise, before lining himself up to take the next shot]

What did you want to talk about, by the way?

[...]

Anything, really. I just...

[... he makes a bit of a face.]

This "task" really, really sucks.

[ah. . . he sees. there's a pause as Akira leans over the pool table, cue poised and ready to shoot, even though he doesn't do so quite yet]

. . .

You wanted to get your mind off of things, huh?

Yeah.

[... he closes his eyes, shoulders slumping.]

No matter what we do with this one... people are going to get hurt.

[it's the first time Akira has talked openly about the game, if only because-- well. . . the whole "Fran" thing had been more important at the time, hadn't it]

[he's quiet for a moment as he finally takes his shot, sinking a striped ball in one of the corner pockets]

. . .

Leaves a bad taste in your mouth, doesn't it?

[It does a lot more than that--but Minato knows Akira feels it too.]

... Yeah. We've all been trying to come up with something to do--some way to keep people from being punished.

But the rules are pretty explicit.

[slowly moving to the other side of the table, preparing another shot for himself. for a moment. . . his expression flickers into something more distasteful, more visibly frustrated, before he schools it back into neutrality. not today, Akira!!]

[. . .]

What is Cerberus going to do?

[......

Minato pauses for a long moment, and then his gaze shifts down to the pool table.]

I think we'll be able to come to a consensus on who to protect.

[. . .]

[turns to face Minato, chin lifting a bit]

. . . that's not what I meant.

[...]

I don't... think Cerberus...

[... A faint frown.]

I think we'll be okay, no matter what happens. We're just trying to decide what we can live with, that's all.

[his expression softens]

It really sucks, when circumstances force you to operate within boxes you'd rather burst wide open. Doesn't it?

[he is fully sympathetic, here. speaking as a man of experience]

What is it that you think you can live with, Minato?

[... He closes his eyes for a moment.]

... I don't think... I can handle hurting other people. Even... if it's just by omission, like this.

[a deep inhale and exhale]

You know that no matter what happens, it won't be your fault. Right?

Edited 2021-12-14 03:05 (UTC)

... Yeah.

[He huffs out a faint noise at that.]

It'd be pretty arrogant to think that, I know.

... But it still feels like I should be able to do something.

[another exhale]

Yeah.

[he's leaning his hands and chin against his pool cue now, the butt of same propped up against the ground]

It's more. . . powerlessness.

Yeah. [he sighs out the word.]

Sorry. I know you must be feeling that way more than anyone, so...

[Akira immediately shakes his head]

Echidna isn't playing. We're just. . . sideline observers.

[which definitely sucks in its own way, but???]

We're not being asked to make an impossible, unfair choice.

[He frowns.]

... What do you think the punishment is, Akira?

[he shakes his head]

I don't know.

[and he doesn't. despite being the task's "administrator," he was given no direction in this department]

I wish I did, though. It'd make preparing a lot easier.

[...]

I think...

[It's said very, very slowly.]

... there's no punishment that would be so bad that I wouldn't... rather take it on myself, rather than expect someone else to take the fall for me.

[and there it is. that which was unspoken, finally drawn out into the light]

[Akira feels his hands curl into fists, before he forces himself to relax again]

. . .

[he says nothing, but the way he stares at Minato with a hardened expression probably says it all for him]

[Minato winces at that, looking away.]

I know that's not fair. It'll just hurt the people around me too.

[...]

But I can't help it.

[. . .]

[evenly, steadily, without his tone wavering in the slightest]

Do you think that way because you believe everyone else's wellbeing is more important than your own?

[it's a blunt, rude question, but-- he needs to know the answer. Minato's self-sacrificial tendencies have not escaped him, but. . . are they because Minato is just deeply empathetic-- something that Akira understands and agrees with, or. . .]

[. . . is it a lack of self-worth?]

[lil bit of both]

... That's... a complicated question.

[He rubs the back of his neck sheepishly.]

I know that I... do matter. [to others, at least.] It'd not that I want to be punished, or that I don't care if I am.

It's just... I think I can handle it. And I don't want anyone else to be hurt.

[it's sudden, the way Akira moves. the way he drops the cue stick, allowing it to clatter on the floor, as he snatches at the front of Minato's shirt and drags him closer. there's something fierce in his expression, eyes flashing. it isn't anger, but. . .]

Minato.

[he hisses that name, tone authoritative. more Joker than Akira]

You're not dispensable.

[which. . . is not what Minato said, but Akira isn't stupid]

Edited 2021-12-15 01:18 (UTC)

[... Ah.

He stumbles when Akira grabs him and yanks, not expecting it at all.]

A-Akira--?

[... He bites his lip.]

... I don't think...

[Well, no, he... kind of is.]

You don't have to worry so much about that.

[another sharp inhale, his grip on that shirt tightening]

You're not.

[because somehow, he feels like. . . the first time wasn't enough. the first statement didn't get through Minato's stupidly thick, loving, self-sacrificial soul]

You don't have to be the one who suffers just because you think you can take it. I understand empathizing with the pain of other people. . . and I understand wanting to protect those who are important to you.

But you aren't something that can be thrown away. Something that can be used as a scapegoat, or a punching bag.

You're just as deserving as literally anyone else here.

[Somehow... Minato feels like his breath is growing short, caught in his throat, and he doesn't know if it's the words Akira's saying or... how close to him Akira is, and how sharp and fierce his eyes are--

He swallows tightly, gaze flickering away.]

... I'm... sorry.

[A soft, rueful laugh, more pained than amused.]

I guess I've really... made you worry. But I--I'm...

[give him a tiny push more akira we're almost there]

[there's a sudden lump in Akira's throat, and he quickly swallows it down. he's so close to something, and he doesn't want to let it slip between his fingers]

[. . . quietly, but just as firm]

You're what, Minato?

[almost as if he's daring Mintao to argue with him]

[... Minato swallows tightly, and then his shoulders slump, as if any lingering fight has gone out of him completely.

And, very softly:]

... I'm already dead, Akira.

If I can take on more punishment with this extra time I've been given... I should.

[is there a word for when you're not surprised by something, and yet it still somehow manages to knock the wind out of you? because that's what Akira's feeling right now. the sensation of having a weight lifted off of his shoulders, now that his suspicions have been confirmed. . . only to have it replaced by a deep sorrow that now tugs against his heart]

[he ducks his head for a moment, knuckles white as they remain fisted in Minato's shirt]

. . .

[with even more fervor than before, even though his voice is barely above a whisper]

That's bullshit, and you know it.

[... Minato just ducks his head, sighing softly, eyes sliding shut.

And almost listlessly:]

... Is it?

A lot of people here have their whole lives ahead of them... you included.

It is.

[he hisses, as though from the sheer force of his voice alone he can make Minato understand]

Are you dead right now? Or are you someone who is living, thinking, breathing, feeling, just as much as everyone else?

. . . do you even known what will happen to you when you leave?

... Yes, of course.

[He drags in a shaky breath. Akira's a force of nature right now, but Minato is resigned.]

When I go back... I'll go back to--

[A beat. He clenches his jaw for a moment.]

--to what I gave my life for. That's not negotiable.

[. . .]

[his grip finally loosens, fingers falling away from Minato's shirt]

. . . what are you going back to, Minato?

[... And Minato sighs, bringing a hand up to rub at his face.]

It's... kind of a long story.

[...]

But back home, Akira... we couldn't win. Not against Nyx. We couldn't stop her, so I had to stop her in a different way.

[it's an explanation, but not much of one, and Akira stays silent, gaze still locked on Minato's, gray meeting gray. he might not be saying anything, but he is giving Minato the chance to elaborate]

[And... his expression softens, in contrast, a faint smile even curving his lips.

Mostly... he looks wistful.]

... All I had to do was make sure Nyx couldn't get to humanity. That... humanity's negativity couldn't reach her anymore. Once I knew that, it wasn't so bad. At least I knew everyone would be safe.

So I made a seal to block her off from it all. And that's where my soul is, when I'm not in a space between dream and reality.

And that's where I'll go back to when this is all over.

[. . .]

[slowly, just to make sure he is understanding the situation correctly, the gears in his brain turning. give him kudos for keeping his voice perfectly even, despite the way his stomach suddenly broils]

So. . . you're saying. . .

Your soul is being used as a buffer between humanity's cries for death and the being who would bring them death. . . because humanity's hearts won't change?

[... He slowly tilts his head, smile soft.]

... For now. Humanity's hearts will change... eventually. I really do believe in that.

But until then--yeah. That's where my soul's going to stay.

[. . . . . . . .]

Of course they'll change. Because I'll be the one to change them.

[for such a powerful declaration, Akira's voice is. . . surprisingly soft. something barely above a whisper. his words, however, are spoken firmly. with a sort of defiant determination that only Joker, only the Trickster, only the one who stole humanity's desires to free them from not one, not two, but three malevolent gods could muster up]

[he reaches out to grab at Minato's shirt again, though this time his grip isn't quite as tight]

I'll steal their hearts. Everyone's hearts. . . so there won't be a need for you to act as that buffer anymore.

And when I do that-- [a sharp inhale] You can go home.

[ ... That... finally shakes Minato from his quiet serenity. His lips part, eyes widening a little as he stares at Akira over his gripped shirt and-- ]

What?

That's not...

[ And again, as little more than a whisper: ]

... What?

[just as fiercely as earlier]

You heard me.

[his grip tightens]

So you don't get to throw your life away here because you think you're disposable.

You will have something to return home to. I promise you, Minato.

I'll make sure of it.

[ there's a long, long pause in response--and then slowly, Minato looks away, overwhelmed by the fierceness in Akira's gaze, and the intensity of the promise he's making him.

He'd never...never once considered that someone would ever offer something like that.

And eventually... he manages a shaky, huffed out breath, almost but not quite a laugh. ]

... I don't know what to say. That's such a... [ wonderful, warm, affectionate, fierce-- ] ... crazy thing to offer.

[. . . ha. Akira mirrors that laugh, equally as breathless]

People have said I can be pretty crazy, you know? Reckless even.

But I don't do things halfway.

[so, be it crazy or reckless or whatever, Akira will find a way. he has to. for the sake of this stupid idiot that he's come to think of so fondly, just to give him a reason to care about himself, about his life, about his future again]

[ Minato can't help but wonder--why him? Why like this? Why--

Isn't it just that Akira's so very, very Akira, and that he would do this for anyone? Probably. That's what they do as Wild Cards.

But... part of Minato, deep in his heart... feels endless gratitude that it's him Akira's making this offer to. That it's him Akira so fiercely wants to save.

He's not prepared to think too deeply on that. Instead, he closes his eyes, and then leans in a bit until he can prop his chin on Akira's shoulder, leaning in for what's half a hug and half just...slumping against him. ]

... Somehow... when you say it like that... I can't help but believe in you.

[ah. . .]

[Minato settles warm against Akira's shoulder, and Akira. . . he freezes, albeit only slightly. despite having initiated a hug with Minato back when they had accidentally shared memories, physical contact was still not something he was used to, so. . . it takes a few moments for his brain to catch up]

[. . .]

[and then it does, and he rests one arm loosely around Minato's back, fingers falling from the front of the other wild card's shirt again]

[. . .]

Good.

[quietly, almost a little bit like a deflated balloon]

If you can't believe in anything else, then. . . believe in me. Okay?

[ He's just going to lean for a moment, don't mind him. ]

... I think... that I do believe in you.

[ ... A swallow. ]

But Akira--I did choose this. I... made this choice, and I'm okay with it. I don't want you to get the wrong idea about that.

[that's okay!! he can lean!! Akira finds himself leaning a little bit too, some of the tension in his back easing the longer the hug continues]

I'm not. I understand that you chose it.

But that doesn't make it fair.

[Akira chose to go to jail to protect his friends, didn't he? and that wasn't fair]

[ ... He breathes out a slow sigh. ]

Yeah... I guess that's true, huh...?

[ ... ]

In that case... If I can be a little selfish...

[ And in no more than a whisper: ]

I'd really like to live... just a little bit longer.

[god. what the hell is he supposed to say to that? what can he say when he feels his heart crack from the unfairness of it all? fuck. why does the world take advantage of good people? how horrible is it that someone as. . . as kind, and thoughtful, and loving as Minato had to give up his life to protect a society that probably didn't even know his name??]

[. . .]

[the hug tightens as Akira winds both arms around Minato's back now, pulling the other wild card as closely as he can as he buries his face against Minato's shoulder]

[ Minato lingers in that hug for a long, long moment... and then he breathes out a quiet sigh, this one calmer, and reaches up to gently pat Akira's hair. ]

It's okay.

I'm okay. Regardless of what happens, I lived the best life I could, I think. And I don't regret the choice I made.

But... thanks. For feeling so strongly on my behalf. It really does mean a lot to me.

[another hiss]

And you'll have plenty more life to live when we get out of here.

[just. . . because he wants Minato to know that this is non-negotiable. at least, it is for him]

Besides. . . you promised me you'd show me Iwatodai.

Can't have you going back on that now, can I?

[ Minato finally straightens, pulling back enough that he can meet Akira's eye, his expression wistful and fond all at once. ]

... Yeah. I'll do my best to keep it.

I still really want to show you my home, after all.

[Akira draws back when Minato does, resting his hands against the other wild card's shoulders as he too meets gray with gray. and there's something-- there's something about that expression, the softness of Minato's features, the gentle curve of his lips. . .]

[he feels his cheeks heat up, his heart flutter slightly in his chest like a tiny little butterfly, and draws his hands away]

Yeah, exactly.

[PLAY IT COOL, KURUSU!!!]

Iiiii can't go visiting Iwatodai without a trusty tour guide, can I?

[ Akira plays it much too cool for Minato to notice.

Or.

Maybe Minato's just still overwhelmed and reeling from Akira's declarations. Yeah. It's probably that. Because Minato just rubs at his face with a hand, and while the smile lingers, he does seem a little overwhelmed. ]

I think you'd manage somehow, but... you wouldn't see the Iwatodai I see, you know?

And I want to go to the cafe you live in, too. Maybe we can do an exchange... someday.

Not "maybe."

[he's honestly going to correct Minato EVERY TIME he speaks in what-ifs. for Akira? it's all a certainty, not a what-if]

Definitely. One day, we'll both have the chance to see the world from the other's perspective.

[ Akira... is cute. ]

... Right. Definitely.

[ Ha. ]

You know, Akira... you're pretty spectacular.

I'm--

[NO THAT'S NOT FAIR, MINATO'S NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE HIM OFF GUARD LIKE THIS]

I'm not, really. I'm really not.

[ His lips twitch a bit. ]

You want me to not think of my to-be-savior as amazing? That sounds impossible to me.

[OH NO]

[he turns red again, automatically ducking his head in an instinctive attempt to hide it]

What? No. I'm not-- I'm definitely not a savior.

[ QUIRKS AN EYEBROW. ]

... You're a savior to me. Already... you are.

Because you're already giving me hope that... I didn't have before.

[opens his mouth]

[closes it again]

[. . . opens his mouth. . .]

[he has no words. honestly. there's nothing he can say that would express how that statement made him feel]

. . . Minato. . .

[ A tiny smile!

Minato just ducks his head a little. ]

... It's just the truth. But anyway--thanks. For the talk. I didn't mean for it to go this way, but...

[ a faint shrug. ]

Oh-- yeah. I. . . uh. Yeah.

[dips his hands into his pockets and gives a little shrug]

Just. . . [mmm] Take care of yourself, okay?

... Yeah. I'll do my best, thanks.

You do the same, okay?

[AAAAANYWAY]

[lifts his cue stick to poke Minato's forehead with the butt of same]

Which means, don't do something stupid for the sake of the task, okay?

[. . .]

I'm sorry. I wish. . . I could be more of a help.

[ Wow.

Minato lifts his hands to cover that, pursing his lips at Akira. ]

... We'll be fine. I'm not planning on doing anything too stupid, okay?

[ ... and in that, he also feels bad, but... ]

You don't have to apologize. Not for anything. I'm glad you're not part of this game. Because if you were... I think I'd have to be a little more selfish.

[

]

[wow his heart sure is doing weird things today, huh!!! even though it shouldn't be because!! this task sucks!!]

[clears his throat and turns back towards the pool table, studying the position of the balls so he can line up another shot]

. . . yeah, well. . .

[. . .]

I guess you're not the only one who feels a little helpless. That's all.

[ Minato just hums softly to himself, tired and gentle, before he nods. ]

... Let's talk about something else, then. We don't have to dwell on this.

[ Since they are both terribly helpless. ]

[HORRIBLY HELPLESS!! and for a moment, Akira feels a little foolish. wasn't it Minato who had come to him for reassurance. . .?]

[with a shake of his head, he leans over the pool table again to take another shot]

. . . well. . . whatever happens, at least we have a game of pool right before us, right?

[a moment of quiet. a moment of relaxation. a moment where they can just. . . live in the present, and not worry about what may happen tomorrow]

Yeah, we do. And it's been your shot for a little bit.

[ Teasingly! As lightly as he can manage.

Akira's bending over again.

Don't look, Minato. ]

[or do look]

[he has a nice butt]

[ minato is trying not to look

but the longer akira leans over to pick his shot

the harder it is not to

anyway, he sneaks a few peeks. ]

[LIVE UR DREAMS, MINATO]

[LIVE UR DREAMS]

[ he only sneaks a few peeks before he catches himself, straightening and shaking his head at himself.

pls, self.

focus and stop being a useless bisexual for five minutes.

how'd akira shot go? ]

[pretty good!! he managed to sink two balls in one go, and he draws back with the cue stick in hand, clearly pleased with himself]

[he flashes Minato a thumbs up]

Max proficiency.

[ ......... Minato blinks slowly.

Damn. ]

... Akira, you're really cool.

[LAUGHS]

Thanks. But I only got this good because I practiced against someone who was even better than me.

Someone even better than you...?

Uh huh.

[leaning over for another shot]

My Justice.

Huh... they must have been quite the player.

Can you tell me more about them?

[a wave of his hand; he didn't manage to sink any balls with this shot, so he steps back to let Minato go next]

Mmm. Another time.

[THEY ALREADY HAD ONE SERIOUS CONVERSATION, HE DOESN'T WANT ANOTHER]

[ huh... well.

Minato won't push it this time. ]

Okay. If you say so.

[ Instead, he just nods quietly, steps up to the pool table, and critically eyes his shots.

Finally... he bends over the table, carefully lining up his shot, and...

............. anyway no balls go in, by a long shot. ]

[. . . POOR POOR MINATO]

I guess it's a good thing we haven't wagered anything on this game, huh?

I'd never bet on a game like this.

[ blandly. ]

I suck a lot.

Your form is all off. If you improve that, you'll definitely get better.

[coming up behind Minato to correct the way he's holding his cue stick]

[ oh no.

Minato will be pliant for Akira's adjusting, but he is... a little... aware of how close they are now. ]

... Right. Well... I'll have to keep practicing, then.

... Thanks for fixing my form, but isn't it your turn now?

Eh.

[eh!!! they don't have to play a real game!! Akira can teach Minato how to shoot instead]

[when he's done correcting Minato's posture, he draws back]

Try again?

Oh, um... well, okay.

[ he will... try again! Once Akira's done.

This time, the ball they were aiming for... bounces right next to the hole, nearly goes in, and then comes back the other way. ]

... Huh, that was much closer. One more time?

[a nod]

It's in a better position now, too. I'm sure you'll sink it on the next shot.

Okay. Let's see...

[ .................................... well. ]

... Could you help me make sure I'm aiming just right again?

[ does he explicitly need this? No. Is it nice to have Akira so close? Y...yes. ]

[DAMN SENPAI. SMOOTH MOVE!! or at least Akira would think that if he had any idea what was going on in Minato's head right now]

[either way, he gives a quick nod and slide sup behind Minato again, arms snaking around the other wild card's sides to grab a hold of the cue stick so he can fix Minato's stance]

Hold it more like this, yeah? With your hand-- here.

[ minato should nooooot be doing this.

He knows better.

There's nothing for him here along these lines, and even if Akira is cute and nice and he feels like he has a special connection with him... he shouldn't be enjoying this sort of closeness just to enjoy it.

... .... ........ ahem. ]

Right... okay.

[ just for now, though... it's okay, isn't it?

Akira adjusts his grip and posture, and once it's all set... he shoots.

And the ball... goes in! ]

... Not bad, Akira.

[once Minato's stance is corrected, Akira draws back to let him shoot. and he lets out a low whistle when the ball goes in the pocket]

Not bad, senpai.

[. . . it was like, a super easy shot, but WHO CARES MINATO DID IT]

That was all you, but... I'll take it.

And since my shot went in... I get to try again, right?

[ he's going to try to line up his next shot...! His posture and form are a bit better, but the direction he's aiming in is still not quite right. ]

[a nod of confirmation! . . . and then he reaches out to tap the tip of Minato's pool cue to fix the aim]

[ ...

Carefully adjusts with the tap...

And fires!

The ball... almost but not quite makes it. It bounces out of the inside of the hole and Minato's shoulders slump. ]

Aw...

So close.

[clasps Minato's shoulders in a camaraderie-type way]

But hey, even the best miss their shots sometimes. That's just part of the game.

Guess so...

[ Minato just shrugs a little, clearly unbothered. ]

It's your turn now. Go ahead and show me how it's done.

[gives the cue a little spin off to the side before crouches over the table again. show off!!]

[HONESTLY FROM HERE ON OUT THEY ARE PROBABLY JUST GOING TO KEEP PLAYING POOL SO, THREAD END?]

[ like, pretty much immediately after the chaos??? idk what's going on in akira's other threads, al can decide when this happens chronologically.

BUT.

Once it's plain Minato can't really help the others on Bugbear, and that others have taken over, he's gonna make a beeline for Akira. ]

Akira...? Can I see your injuries?

[Akira gets caught up in protecting Gideon from Vicious, but PRESUMABLY at some point the threat is neutralized and Akira can take a chance to, like]

[breathe?]

[so much happened at once, from Bugbear dying to Fran taking over to him waking up with a bloody face that he is, understandably, still dazed when Minato flags him down]

[with his new ears pinned to his head and new tail lashing, Akira turns to face Minato with a few owlish blinks]

What—?

[ Yeaaaaah. Minato just rests his hands on Akira's shoulders and pushes gently. ]

Sit down, please.

[s]

[sits]

[quite heavily, actually. he just sort of. flops onto the ground]

[ acceptable.

Minato crouches in front of him, inspecting Akira carefully for a long moment.

And then he lifts his Evoker to his temple. He calls on Attis, first, for a Diarahan.

And then he yanks off a chunk of his sleeve (cheap costume fabric makes this easy), and lifts it to dab at the blood still on Akira's face. ]

[stares right back at him, gaze unfocused, up until Attis appears. then he starts a little, letting out a sharp exhale as the Diarahan washes over him. his injuries are minor so it does a good job patching them up, though his split lip still looks scabbed over and raw]

[the blood on his face is dried now, so it might take a little elbow grease to clean it all off, and Akira makes a small noise of surprise as the makeshift cloth touches his face]

Ah— you don't—

[ Minato just hums a little to himself. It's okay if it takes a bit of elbow grease; he's persistent but gentle, carefully flaking off the worst of the dried blood on Akira's face. ]

Shhh.

It's okay. I want to.

[opens his mouth to argue]

[. . .]

[and finds that he doesn't have the words to do so. his mouth falls shut with a click, and he finds himself staring at Minato's face, inexplicably transfixed, as he works, the cloth (and the fingers underneath them) warm against his chin]

[. . .]

. . . 'kay.

Edited 2021-12-20 20:45 (UTC)

[ In response, Minato offers Akira a small, small smile--tired but sincere, and the best he can manage considering everything.

He'll keep working at the blood gently, and when he's finally done, he lingers there for a moment before he lowers the piece of cloth. ]

... There. Be careful with that lip... it still looks a little painful.

[swallows a little, lifting a finger to his still-wounded lip with a light wince]

It's fine. I've had worse.

[a sharp exhale]

I'm okay, Minato. I promise.

[ Minato pauses for a long moment... and then sighs. ]

I know you are.

This... helps me, too.

[ Since he can't do anything else-- at least he can try to help the people he can. It helps him keep himself together. ]

[. . . well. he can't argue with that either, can he?]

[gives a quiet nod, gaze dropping for a bit before he lifts it again, mustering up the strength to shove aside his exhaustion so he can focus-- focus]

Are you okay?

[ Minato pauses at that--

And then reaches out to gently smoosh Akira's cheeks between his hands--oh-so-gently, but insistently nonetheless. ]

You need to rest before you go around worrying about other people.

You did good work out there, Akira.

[HELLO???]

[makes an indignant noise and pulls back a little, but very gently. his expression falls a bit, lips curving into a frown]

I didn't.

[he DIDN'T!!!]

I didn't do. . . anything at all. Despite being her-- [. . .] Her "administrator" or whatever, I didn't do anything, Minato.

[ When Akira pulls back, Minato follows a little, looking at Akira's face attentively and fiercely. It's only after scanning his expression for a long moment that Minato finally reaches out again--

This time to gently, almost tenderly brush his thumb over the barely healed scab along his lip. ]

... You jumped in there to try to save as many people as you could. You tried to support the people here, even despite everything going on. You were there for me... and I'm sure a lot of other people too, when we needed you.

You've done more than you think.

[jesus fucking christ]

[kind of. freezes at that contact, expression going slack as goosebumps prickle his skin all the way up his arms and across the back of his neck]

[and then he pulls back again, still gentle, but uncertain if he really deserves this kind of comfort]

Minato. . .

Ah...

[ Too much?

Too much, he thinks.

He lets his hand fall, but even so-- ]

I mean it. Don't... don't be too hard on yourself here. Bugbear... is going to need all of us at our best. And... whatever comes in the future--we'll make sure it doesn't end like this again.

[catches Minato's hand as it falls away, his gaze affixed on the ground in front of him]

[. . .]

[and then lets it go, lifting his head as he does so]

. . . none of us were really prepared for what was going to happen.

[squares his shoulders]

Were we?

[ .. .. .....????

He... keeps his hand there for a moment, even though Akira lets it go, before slowly, tentatively lowering it.

... it was warm, but... he's not sure why Akira reached out or what it means.

It's fine. That's not what matters right now. ]

... No. None of us were. And... it's not fair that one team had to bear the fallout when they didn't even know what was coming.

[lifts his free hand to scrub at his newly cleaned face, letting out a sigh as he does so. focus, Kurusu. . . focus]

I think. . . everything that can be done here has been done.

[he glances over to where the crowds are beginning to disperse, now that Bugbear has mostly been taken care of]

Do you-- ah. . . need me to take you back to Cerberus?

[ Does he? No, probably not. Does he want to say yes so Akira will leave this area behind for a bit?

Yeah.

Yeah, definitely. ]

Mm...

[ Minato pushes himself up to his feet, offering Akira a hand. ]

Yeah, if you don't mind.

[. . .]

[takes that hand to hoist himself back onto his feet. he seems a little less dazed now, so!! at least!! there's that!!]

[it's a toss-up whether he has noticed his wings are gone and have been replaced with twitchy cat ears and a lashing tail, though]

[ Minato has noticed.

But.

He kind of looks like he's not sure what's going on with that. He does keep sneaking glances as they walk, though. ]

[yeah. akira is noticing that!!]

— I really am okay, Minato.

[and totally misinterpreting what it's about]

[ uh. ]

I do believe you...

[ mostly ]

It's just... you haven't always had cat ears... have you?

[he stops]

. . . hn?

[and lifts a hand to?? pat his head?? his fluffy tail twitching in confusion???]

[ ... ... ... f-fluffy. ]

... I don't remember them. Before... now.

[his ears flatten, then pop back up again. they are very fluffy!]

I didn't--

[and he cranes his head over his shoulder to look at his bac. wings?? gone???]

-- where are Fran's wings??

I... don't know.

[ Minato will even peer around Akira's back, but... nope! ]

They're gone. It's like they've been replaced by the ears and tail.

[. . .]

[u know what]

[on the list of shit that has happened over the past three days this only rates like a two on the shit scale, so]

[he's just]

[going to throw his hands into the air]

You know what? Sure.

Whatever. This might as well happen.

Edited 2021-12-23 02:28 (UTC)

[ ... yeah okay. ]

I don't understand, but I guess it's pretty harmless. So long as you're feeling okay...

[ ... ]

The cat ears are really cute, anyway.

[A BIT]

[incredulously, but not with displeasure]

Thanks. Deep down I always knew I was a bona fide cat boy.

[ opens mouth

closes mouth

he does not know what to say to that ]

... You said it, not me.

[lets out a breathless laugh and lifts a hand to scrub gently but tiredly at his face. note that his eyes are now heterochromatic-- one gray and one blue!!]

[anyway, there's the motel!! Akira kind of hesitates when they reach Cerberus's door]

[ Minato also hesitates for a long moment--

And then he reaches for Akira's arm to tow him in with him. ]

... Have you seen the kitchen yet?

[ he's not ready for Akira to leave yet. ]

[blinks a little, instinctively leaning into that touch, body moving with Minato's tugging]

You have a kitchen now?

Yeah. We all put in a request for it and now here it is.

[ in they goooo. It's a very nice kitchen. ]

A lot of Cerberus cooks, so... it's kind of nice and cozy and homey to have it around.

[passing through the common room to get to the kitchen, Akira pauses]

[. . .]

Why's the refrigerator out here?

[AND NOT, LIKE. IN THE KITCHEN]

[ without missing a beat: ]

Having an extra refrigerator gives the place character.

We love Extra Fridge-san.

[. . .]

[pats the fridge's door]

There, there. Maybe one day, you'll be able to return home to the kitchen.

[ snorts vaguely. ]

Come on. I'll make you something to eat.

You probably burned a lot of calories.

[ fighting monsters. being a monster. etc. ]

[h-hah]

And yet I barely feel the physical strain.

[ACTUALLY HE'S PRETTY DAMN EXHAUSTED BUT SHHHH]

[ looks at Akira critically.

And blandly: ]

Your HP may be okay, but your MP is in the single digits. Sit down, okay? I'll make...

[ hmmm!! ]

Some miso soup and... fish?

[mouths MP??? don't you mean SP, senpai??]

If I tired to say no, you'd bully me, wouldn't you?

[mmmm]

So that sounds. . . good.

[ yes but i've been playing a lot of smt v, don't look at me. ]

I would... unless you really didn't want it.

But if it's just because you don't want me to go to the trouble or something... then it's fine, because I want to do this.

[ so he'll start puttering around the Cerberus kitchen! ]

[fortunately they're both probably nerd enough to know that MP is used in most video games it's fine]

[following Minato into the kitchen, head tilted back to admire the simple decor]

No comment.

[ Minato huffs out a faint breath at that, but he just shakes his head. Thankfully, stocking the place for basic Japanese meals had been a priority for him, so he's got what he needs for a simple meal of salmon and miso soup.

He'll just start to cook, for now in silence. The distraction is nice, but...

....... it's not really enough. ]

[Akira's going to take a seat at whatever table I gave Cerberus, I don't remember, don't at me. he falls silent when Minato does, hands linked together and resting on the table, tail swishing behind him as it hangs off the side of the chair]

[. . .]

[now that they aren't talking, or joking around, the weight of the morning's events are starting to press against him again, and he ducks his head and closes his eyes to take in a deep breath]

[ Minato feels that. The weight of the events of what happened are... crushing, honestly, and it's hard to keep his chin up.

he focuses on the meal; setting up the soup to boil, cutting up the fish to fry. ]

[AWKWARD SILENCE. . .]

[it takes him a bit to muster up the energy, but when he does, he lifts his head to speak again]

. . . smells really good.

[ ... ah. ]

... Thanks. Sorry. I was... thinking, I guess.

It shouldn't be much longer.

[props his chin in his hand]

I'm not rushing you. It's okay.

[they are both a little distracted this morning]

[ THEY SURE ARE. for good reason.

Minato just hums quietly in response... and goes back to tending to the food.

It really doesn't take much longer though before he's setting a bowl of miso soup and the cooked fish in front of Akira. Tastes of home!

He'll serve himself up the rest. ]

[okay good Minato served himself. if he hadn't, Akira would have Said Something]

[he's going to help himself to the soup first, which warms him from the inside out. incidentally. . . it's just the thing he needed after a horrible morning, and he lets out a tiny sigh as some of the tension seeps from his shoulders]

[ yeah, don't worry, he is Eating Too.

They can eat in quiet peace for a little bit... but finally, after that tiny sigh, Minato opens his mouth again. ]

... Thank you for letting me do this.

[pauses with utensil in his mouth, gaze flickering up to blink at Minato]

[. . .]

. . . mmm.

[he isn't really sure what to say to that, but!! he'll make a noise of acknowledgement and just. . . nod, because. yeah. Minato made it very clear he needed this just as much as Akira did]

... It kind of made me realize...

[ Minato smiles a tiny little smile down at his miso soup. ]

... No matter what, I have a responsibility here to do everything that I can do. Even if it's just something like this.

So that's what I'm going to do. No matter... what.

[ No matter how hopeless this all felt or how crushing it was... there's still at least one tiny thing he can do, and so he'll do it. ]

[staring at his miso soup now, chopsticks held loosely in his fingers]

[. . .]

[quietly]

After all. . . helping one person is still helping, isn't it?

That's right. So long as that's the case... there's meaning to us being here.

Even if it's something small.

[ even if it's just a bowl of soup, or diving in the middle of a fight to try to save one person--or monster. ]

[with lips curved into a gentle smile, Akira looks up, catching Minato's gaze with his own]

[. . .]

[then he lifts his bowl of miso soup to take a sip]

[ SO.

IT'S DAY 19.

things have Happened.

It's probably fine.

Minato isn't avoiding Akira, exactly, but when he sees Akira in the diner, he... pauses.

And then straightens and fights off the urge to blush and continues on forward. Casually. Because surely Minato's the only one who remembers that dream anyway...!! ]

Oh--hey. Are you making something to eat?

[it's fortunate for Minato that Akira's back is turned towards him, hip resting against the diner counter as he blows gently on a freshly brewed mug of coffee. even with his face turned away, his demeanor seems. . . distracted?? distant? he's wearing the pirate outfit with the red jacket, too]

[anyway, when Minato speaks, Akira jumps]

[whirls around to face Minato, hands curved around his mug, expression loose]

[. . .]

[. . .]

[. . . . . . . . . .]

[oh my god it's the senpai he literally just had a sex dream about]

[HE HAD A SEX DREAM ABOUT MINATO]

[A SEX DREAM]

[SEX DREAM]

[S E X D R E A M]

Edited 2022-01-17 00:45 (UTC)

[perfectly evenly, without a shred of his internal mind theater crossing his expression]

G'morning, Minato.

[a two-fingered salute!!]

Mmm, just coffee. Are you hungry?

[ ... It's too subtle for Minato to be able to catch onto.

So he's just going to continue to assume Akira doesn't remember that dream.

... Also.

Now that Minato's meeting Akira's eyes again, face to face...

... It's not fair, he's still so hot.

... NO, FOCUS, MINATO. ]

Oh--no, not exactly.

[ Before he can think better of it-- ]

... Mind if I join you for that coffee?

[meanwhile, Akira is ALSO assuming that Minato didn't even have the same dream. shared dreams sounds so silly, anyway!! it was all a product of Akira's own fantasies, wasn't it? he just. . . needs to take a deep breath, and maybe a cold shower to boot]

[. . .]

[just as quickly as Minato asks the question comes an answer]

Of course you can. I wouldn't say no.

[ ... That was fast.

Don't... read too far into it, Minato.

(But what Tsuruno told him is... lingering. He can't keep this to himself forever. He has to be honest with Akira.

... Ugh.) ]

Mm.... thanks.

[ He steps closer. You know, to make his own coffee. Not to be close. ]

[clears his throat lightly; don't read too far into Minato's request to stay, Akira! it's. . . fine. you're just still wound up from the night before. don't be awkward. don't think too hard about it]

[(don't look at his collarbone, at his lips, at the curve of his jaw, and wonder how they feel in real life)]

[. . .]

[slides Minato an empty mug and reaches for one of the pour-over coffee makers]

[ Minato reaches for the mug a little too hastily, and reaches for same pour-over coffee maker.

At the same time.

Their fingers brush and Minato yanks his hand back hastily. ]

Oh--sorry.

[their fingers do touch, and with that brush of heat comes a spark of electricity]

[Akira. . . pauses, but Minato is gone before he can do anything else]

Ah--

[his gaze flickers up, gray meeting gray]

[. . .]

No, it's-- it's okay.

[ .............. Minato rubs at his face briefly, and then sighs.

Okay.

Okay, this is silly. He needs to get over himself. ]

Hey... Akira.

Do you mind if we talk about something real quick?

[wait fuck does Minato know about the dream]

[WAIT NO. OF COURSE HE DOESN'T. he probably wants to talk about--]

[. . .]

[that. . . which Akira has been avoiding]

[quietly, Akira draws his hand back, flexing his fingers and staring at the spot where Minato touched them before he takes hold of his mug again]

Hn? What is it?

[ ... DEEP BREATH.

Come on Minato.

You can do this. It's only fair to tell Akira what he's thinking. And it's only fair to... let Akira know that it's okay.

It's totally understandable that he's protecting himself from heartache. Minato feels the same way, after all. He can't do that to Akira. ]

[ ... And something settles in his chest. This is right.

He breathes out a breath, straightens his shoulders, and closes his eyes. ]

... Sorry. I think I've been... unfair. I should've said something a long time ago.

But I guess I want to start with, um--I know you're not interested, and you shouldn't be. That's the best choice.

[ ... Another deep breath. ]

I think I have a crush on you. [ rueful: ] I'm sorry about that. Nothing needs to come of it. But I wanted to... clear the air so we can, um, hopefully move past it soon.

[

]

What?

[because surely, certainly, Akira did not hear Minato correctly?? surely those were not the words that came out of Minato's voice?? surely. . . his heart didn't just skip a few beats in his chest, fluttering wildly against his ribs like a butterfly]

[ A faint grimace at that, and he runs his fingers through his hair. ]

I know. I'm sorry. I'm--we talked about this.

I'm already dead. There isn't really anything for me in the future, so I shouldn't really--

Anyway, um. Point is... you can ignore it now. I just needed to clear the air.

[. . . ah. and then, far more incredulous, and perhaps a little hurt]

— what? What does. . .

[his fingers curl tightly around his mug]

Do you really think that matters to me?

[ Minato just looks at Akira tiredly. ]

It matters to me. I'd just be hurting anyone who I... got together with. It isn't fair for me to put this sort of thing on your shoulders.

[okay, well. . . now the light fluttering in his chest is turning into something else, something tight and definitely hurt. his ears pin back against his head as his tail bristles, stilling at his back with the tip twitching]

. . .

You're. . . making a lot of unfair assumptions, Minato.

[ He... pauses.

His ears pinned back, his tail bristling... the signs are sinking in, and Minato drags in a shaky breath.

... He's already hurting Akira. ]

... I'm sorry. I didn't...

[ ... His shoulders slump. ]

... This isn't going very well.

[it sure is not!! but that's only because Minato is putting himself down so much, and that understandably raises Akira's hackles like nothing else. because he doesn't care if Minato is dead. he doesn't care if Minato thinks he isn't interesting. he doesn't care if Minato thinks it's better for them to move past this]

[the rapid rhythm of his heart speaks for him. the dream the night before. the. . . the kiss they shared under the mistletoe, and the unmistakable desire to linger in same. the desire to laugh, to hold Minato's hand and lace their fingers together and take him to the pool hall and share a coffee with him and smile together as they swap jokes and stories and hold each other tightly when shit hits the fan--]

[Akira has never been the type to ignore the cries of his own heart. and he isn't about to start now.]

[his ears flick up again, tail swishing a little more as the fur flattens]

. . . try again?

[it's not a command; it's a request, and while it's gentle, his voice is firm]

But don't put yourself down while you do.

[ ... Again?

Minato's quiet for a long moment, meeting Akira's eyes as if uncomprehendingly. Why... would Akira want him to say it again? He can only think of one reason.

... this is a bad idea. This is such a bad idea. Akira deserves better than this.

But he asked so firmly, so hopefully. And Minato finds the words slowly leaving him, carefully and uncertainly. ]

Akira...

I'm... really into you, to be honest.

[ He opens his mouth to say something about his death, about how they shouldn't do this--and slowly closes his mouth again, lips pressed together tightly.

For now. ]

[this time, he's ready for it, and even if the words are uncertain, it's still absolutely thrilling to hear them tumble from Minato's lips]

[a deep breath in. . . a deep exhale out. . .]

You were wrong, when you said you knew I wasn't interested.

[. . . tentatively, he extends his hands, fingers loosely open and inviting]

. . . because I'm pretty into you, too.

[ ... And Minato stares at Akira's hand.

He stares at it, and thinks about the night before and that dream, and thinks about the kiss under the mistletoe--but also about how sweet Akira can be, how kind and brave and how he's always doing what he can for the people here.

But--

It's not fair for him to want this. ]

Isn't this... greedy of me to want...?

[Akira keeps his hand patiently extended, gaze locked on Minato's expression, on every crevice and curve of his features. he feels his heart hammering in his eras again, his breath practically captured in his throat. come on, he thinks, just. . . let me get through to you]

Only if it makes me greedy, too.

[but. . . aren't feelings like this always a little inherently selfish?]

And you were wrong about one other thing, too.

[jaw set, chin tilted up]

You do have a future ahead of you. I told you already-- I'll fight for it if I have to.

[ ... Minato shouldn't really believe in that sort of thing, he knows. He made this choice, and... that's okay.

... But... sometimes... Akira makes him feel like maybe it's not okay--in a good way. That maybe it's okay to want more.

He breathes out a shaky breath... and reaches out to gently rest his hand in Akira's. ]

... I'm still sorry.

[ It's barely whispered. ]

I'm sorry that you have to fight for that.

[ But he wants this too. ]

[Minato!!! god!!!! EVEN NOW, YOU'RE GIVING HIM ANEURYSMS]

Don't be.

[his tone is firm again, fingers curling tightly around Minato's. his hand. . . it's warm, and it's funny how Minato's feels so perfectly right pressed against his own. like. . . two interlocking pieces of a puzzle]

You made your choice. Let me make mine, too. Okay?

[ ... And Minato dips his head, sighing ruefully--but despite himself, there's a smile that's slowly curving his lips.

He still thinks this is a bad idea, but...

... Akira said yes. ]

... Okay. I don't want to take that away from you. And... even though I'm worried, I'm... happy, too.

[with the tension finally seeping out of the room, Akira can focus on the thrumming in his ears, on the lightness that flutters in his chest. he ducks his head a bit, giving Minato's hand a gentle squeeze as his features curve into a genuine, but lopsided, smile]

I— yeah. Me too.

[a pause]

. . . I thought I had made you feel awkward, you know? Like I had taken things too far by getting swept up in the moment. I was just goofing around, but—

[a helpless, sheepish shrug]

[ Minato snorts softly under his breath at that, rubbing the back of his head with his other hand.

The hand in Akira's remains there, and he squeezes it back gently. ]

... I enjoyed it.

But... we didn't talk about it, so I thought, um...

[ ... He doesn't want to bring down the mood again, so he just shrugs helplessly. Akira knows what he thought. ]

And then there was last night--

[ oh he does remember the dream ]

[

]

[SWEATS]

What. . . about last night?

[ opens mouth

closes mouth. ]

Never mind. If you didn't, um-- well.

It doesn't matter.

[wHAT IS HAPPENING]

[IS HE TALKING ABOUT THE DREAM???]

. . . are you talking about. . .

[. . .]

Things that happen while you're asleep?

[ ... blinks at Akira blankly. ]

... Have you been punished so you can't say the word "dream", or something...?

[high pitched noise, his cheeks flushing red]

No—!

[it's just if he says the word "dream" he doesn't trust himself not to say "sex" first]

It's just— ah. A strange thing to bring up??

[ ... squints at Akira suspiciously at those red cheeks. ]

... Well. If it's strange and you don't remember anything, then it must've just been a strange thing here and we don't have to talk about it.

[ IN FACT, HE IS RELIEVED BY THIS CONFIRMATION. ]

[DON'T WALLOW IN THAT RELIEVE FOR TOO LONG, MINATO!!!]

[looks away, free hand coming up to tug bashfully at his bangs]

Right. Exactly. I remember nothing. There's nothing to remember.

[ jiiiiii

... ]

Oh no.

[ OH NO. ]

[SHOVES A HAND IN MINATO'S FACE]

How would you even know about it. . .!

[ SHOVED.

WOW RUDE.

And with a cheek smooshed up against Akira's hand-- ]

I don't know...! It just, um--happened...?

[OOOOOOOOH MY GOD????]

Are you some kind of dream seer?

[he does not mean this seriously he's trying to cover up his embarrassment that APPARENTLY MINATO KNOWS ABOUT THE SEX DREAM??? OH MY GOD]

No--?!

[ GOD AKIRA. ]

I, um--for a minute I thought maybe--

[ that it was his dream. ]

--but I heard people say that they were, like... ending up in other peoples' dreams a bit...?

[oh my goooooood]

[buries his face in one hand, cheeks so red he almost looks like a beet]

Whyyyyy. . .

[ he looks like he's searching for words, honestly.

But finally-- ]

Oh, so it was your dream?

... Huh. That explains some things.

[ MINATO YOU'LL KILL THIS BOY. ]

[JUST. . . LETS OUT A HOLLOW LAUGH INTO HIS PALM]

We can stop talking about it any time now. . .!

[this is what happens when ur deep dream fantasies are made semi-public. to the one person they featured the most]

[ ... ]

Oh, right, sorry.

[ whoops!! ]

I didn't mean to make things awkward. It was just, um, a surprise...? So I'm glad to understand a bit better now.

[ .......... and quietly: ]

I'm not mad about it. [ QUITE THE CONTRARY.... ]

[. . .]

[. . . . . . .]

[. . . . . . . . . .]

[lifts his head again, face still super scarlet]

. . . I'm not usually. . . the type to move that-- ah. That fast?

Oh--me neither.

[ He says that much easily. Then, with a faintly sheepish smile-- ]

But, well... maybe because it was a dream, or maybe because you could just... be yourself, but...

It was nice. Seeing another side of you.

[. . . . . .]

[the embarrassment is ebbing away slightly, fingers curling a little more tightly around Minato's. because yes, he is still holding senpai's hand. he is!!!]

. . . well.

[. . .]

I'm not really mad about it, either.

[JUST THROWING THAT OUT THERE. SUPER CASUALLY]

[ So casual!!!

Minato considers that, expression a little bashful, before he just shrugs a bit and-- ]

... Can we, um... start with a kiss, for now?

[so casual!! it was just a sex dream, not that weird!!!]

[(har har)]

[but at that, Akira lets out a breathless little laugh, ducking his head a bit as he does so]

You won't hear me saying no to that.

[ ... And so quietly, Minato reaches out with his free hand to gently guide Akira's chin up with his fingers.

And slowly, deliberately, leans in to press their lips together.

A kiss!!! ]

[Akira moves easily with that touch, lifting his head so his eyes lock with Minato's right before he leans in. they flutter shut once those lips are pressed against his, and his shoulders sag with a content, pleased sigh]

[he leans in a little, free hand wandering to Minato's cheek, fingertips ghosting across warm skin as he reciprocates the kiss. it's certainly not as heated and fiery as the ones in the dream, but. . .]

[it's gentle, and exploratory, and by it's own merit's it's a pretty good first real kiss]

[ It's a damn good first real kiss, and Minato pulls away extremely reluctantly--and breathes out a soft, almost contented sigh as he does.

His eyes are still half-lidded, his cheeks a little flushed and mouth slightly parted as he pulls away...

And... he smiles. ]

[Akira's hand remains against Minato's cheek even as the kiss ends and the other wild card pulls away. he, too, looks flushed and content, expression soft as his bangs fall in juuuuust the right way over his eyes]

[. . . he lets out a breathless huff, light and almost disbelieving]

Well. . .

Well...

[ He echoes that, and then... shakes his head, leaning in to briefly press their noses together affectionately. ]

... I really like you, Akira. I guess you figured me out.

[another breathless laugh, even though the red on his cheeks deepens as Minato leans in. an impossible feat made possible!!]

Am I the one who figured you out, or is it the other way around. . .?

[mumbled audibly, but half to himself]

[ He rubs the back of his neck. ]

... That's definitely not it.

[ he definitely... just made it clear that he knew Nothing about how Akira actually felt. ]

[that is not at all how Akira meant it, and he huffs]

Mmm, well. From my perspective it is.

[a. . . pause, as he tries to find the words]

I've never met someone who. . . [another pause]

[IT TURNS OUT, WORDS ARE HARD]

[ Minato just tilts his head at that, blinking a little.

???

And, patiently: ]

... Who...?

Who--

[. . . reaches for Minato's hand again, lacing their fingers together]

Who sees all of me.

[ ... Oh my god.

It's... a statement that makes Minato's heart thump faster in his chest, and he drags in a shaky breath, a faint flush to his cheeks--and then he breathes it out and smiles a little more. ]

... I'm really happy to hear that. I don't know if I really see all of you yet, but...

[ he gently strokes his thumb over Akira's knuckles in his hand. ]

I'm excited to learn more every single day.

[Akira's smile turns a bit sheepish. not quite. . . shy, but. it's clear he isn't quite this used to being this. . . this open with someone]

You see enough of me. You make me feel like-- I don't know.

[a helpless little shrug, and he draws Minato's hand upwards so he can press a kiss against the back of it]

Like. . . it's okay to be a little needy.

["needy" is, perhaps, not the right word, but he trusts that Minato knows what he means]

[ He does understand what Akira means--and it makes him feel so, so warm inside. He looks a little bashful at that kiss--but he just squeezes Akira's hand firmly in response, meeting Akira's eyes with his own. ]

I'm really, really glad to hear that, because... that's how I want you to feel.

You can rely on me. It... makes me really, really happy when you do. More than I can put into words. Because I think you're really just so, so amazing.

[ And that Akira deserves someone there to see all of him--and support him through everything. ]

[god, he is going to explode at this rate. or melt. either-or. possibly both at the same time! how is it that one person is so, so capable of making him feel like a bashful middle-schooler again?]

I think I underestimated your power levels, senpai.

[ omg.

That makes Minato laugh, a faint, short noise that he covers up with a hand. When his expression is settled again, he responds: ]

... I don't know what you mean. Anyway... I'm just saying what I think and how I feel.

Sorry about that.

. . . you apologize too much.

[said with a gentle huff! it is also a gentle scolding, but it's fine]

You've always been the type to say what he thinks and feels, without reservations.

It's-- admirable, in a way.

"In a way"...?

[ Minato seems more amused than anything, as he squeezes Akira's hand in his own. ]

And in the other way, it's pretty annoying?

[ He's obviously teasing. ]

[a soft huff]

Thaaaaaat's not at all what I was thinking. Absolutely no part of it is annoying.

[squeezing Minato's hand in return]

[ hehhhh. Minato just snorts amusedly at that. ]

You're sweet. Thanks.

I'm glad for that, since I think that's something I just can't change.

Akira!!!!

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[checks his phone]

[makes ???? faces]

what did i win???

Win is kind of a problematic term for what I'm congratulating you for but

Tsuruno told me about you and Minato!!!

[oh my god it really is]

[OH MY GOD TSURUNO???]

we made the front page of the kraken gossip column???

Is that a thing where you're from

But also yes

And more importantly I'm really happy for you guys!

kind of

but more importantly

thanks. . . it feels kind of weird to be congratulated on it but not in a bad way

Well I'm glad it wasn't in a bad way

But that's so exciting!!

[he's a li'l red on his end of the line but RUPERT CAN'T SEE!!!]

i guess so

maybe?

????

is it weird to have a boyfriend in prison???

I don't think so

But even if it's weird who cares

If you like him I think you made the right move

[a laugh]

technically he was the one who made the right move

i just reacted

I think saying yes probably counts as a move even if he brought the subject up

touche. it does take two to tango, so to speak

Exactly!

This is kind of a barren wasteland as far as date spots though isn't it

You might have to get creative

oh don't worry. we have one picked out already.

[SORT OF???]

Oh!! Well obviously I want to hear about it

Young master Kurusu.
May I beg a favor?

any time, anywhere. what's up, lan wangji?

Generous.

[...]

I had hoped to earn Echidna quest tokens once more.
But, I should not impose on the Young Mistress Jin every time.

well, first off i'm sure she doesn't mind

but second, quests i can do. i just have one question:

how brave are you feeling today?

It is immaterial.

I will perform my assigned duties.

okay.

text someone you don't like or don't get along with well a sincere and honest compliment.

[...]

Very well.

The other?

[hehehe]

a softball for the second one.

text someone something that would make them smile.

It will be done.

[...]

You are more familiar with "texting." Are there easy ways to do so?

easy. . . what do you mean by easy?

Methods unique to texting.

[oh!! Akira knows what that means!!!]

😋

These symbols are acceptable means?

👍

✅

[gasp!]

you're getting it!!

😸😸😸

[there's no response for a couple of hours, then...]

I have completed them.

May I find the tokens at Echidna? I must meet with the Young Madame Jin for certain preparations.

Edited 2022-02-22 02:09 (UTC)

[hehehe]

i assume you put your newfound texting skills to use.

but sure. drop by echidna and i'll get you your tokens.

My thanks, young master Kurusu.

Edited 2022-02-22 03:18 (UTC)

[there's no reply! but that's only because Akira is hanging out right outside of Echidna, waiting for Lan Wangji to swing by]

[it does not take him long to show up! he looks... well, he looks neutral, that's how his face is]

[perking up a bit when LWJ approaches]

Heads up--

[and immediately flips him two Echidna tokens from afar. HOW ARE YOUR CATCHING SKILLS LWJ]

[THEY'RE VERY GOOD! if Akira hasn't stacked the deck somehow, he'll snatch them out of the air no trouble, with a swift appreciative glance]

[excellent!! he has not stacked the deck it's just a normal toss]

Saving up for something nice?

[tucks them in his sleeve...]

Mm. A shop purchase.

...

Something you had mentioned.

Hn?

[his ears perk up a bit, curious]

[tilts his head]

"A nicer bedroom."

. . . heh.

Sounds like a great idea to me.

Mm.

Young Madam Jin's direction.

Does she have a knack for interior decorating?

[his face softens slightly...]

I will discover shortly.

However, I hold no doubts.

[cute. . .]

Neither do I.

Heyyyy soooooo...

Wanna go on a date?

[immediately perking up on his end of the cell phone]

why senpai, does this mean you've finally noticed me??

[ omg

He doesn't know the Meme ]

What do you mean? I noticed you after that dream.

remember?

The dream

Where you

[ stop him from sending messages. ]

[sCREAM]

joking!! i was joking!!

[ ahhhha. ]

Is that right? Well, that's fine then.

So about that date...

Was that a yes?

[that dream is going to haunt him for the duration of this relationship isn't it]

[wheezes]

of course it is. after all, what's the point of dating without the date?

[ yes.

because it's hilarious. ]

Mm, good. Then I'd like to take you on one. Can you meet me at the diner?

Maybe in an hour or so?

[I'd like to take you on one, Minato says, and Akira feels his heart flutter like a butterfly against his ribs. for some reason, part of him thought he'd be the one taking Minato out, but. . . it's kind of nice to be on this side of things]

smooth, senpai. but i can do that.

any plans for after dinner?

[ Akira will get his chance to do just that one of these days. But this time, Minato beat his kouhai to it. ]

I might have something in mind, but it's a secret. I feel like you'd enjoy a surprise or two.

[. . . ooooooooh]

a secret. . . it's our first date and already you're keeping things spicy.

i like it.

[ um, well. ]

Don't get your hopes up too high... we're still in prison.

But yeah, that aside, I thought you might like spicy. Right?

[a laugh to himself, his smile curving up the corners of his lips]

i think we'll make it work. prison or not.

[which feels weird to say but is VERY TRUE]

and you're right. i do. you know me so well already.

[ it is weird to say but it somehow makes Minato feel better to hear it. ]

I think so too. And, well... it's been nice getting to know you. I wanted to do that even before we decided to date.

I really, really like you, after all.

[. . . SAPPY. . . Akira's heart flutters again, and he lets out a fond little huff]

well.

i really, really like you, too.

surprise.

[ cute..... it's not fair how akira can make his heart thump like he does. ]

I'm definitely surprised.

Except not at all, because you made that super clear.

I'm still really grateful for that by the way. I can be kind of dense about this stuff.

[SENPAI!! STOP THIS!!]

are we going to be one of those couples that people yell at for being too saccharine? because i'm totally ready to commit to that, if we are

I'm never saccharine ever.

I don't know what you're talking about.

That said... do you mind if people know here?

uh huh. spicy like boss's curry. that's minato

and of course i don't mind.

Edited 2022-02-09 02:25 (UTC)

I'd love to be considered spicy...

[ but he is not, he's sweet. ]

Anyway, that's good to hear. I didn't want to spread it if you weren't comfortable, but now I can just tell people at will.

[he is VERY sweet, but it's okay. Akira can be the spicy one]

rupert already texted me a hearty congratulations.

pretty sure tsuruno told him

That would track. Tsuruno did help me get braver about talking to you.

Honestly, it makes me kind of happy that people know.

tsuruno the resident gossip. . .

[tone is lost in text messages but his tone would be fond, ftr]

you're cute. but. . . it makes me pretty happy, too.

(*¯︶¯*)

Anyway--meet you at the diner? I've got a few things to prepare.

anticipation. . .

[but!! he leaves it there!! and in about an hour, he shows up at the diner, wearing the red jacket that Minato picked out for him at the masquerade shop that one time]

[ yeh!!!

Minato is already there--and he seems to be cooking! There's a box on one of the tables, as tidily wrapped as is possible in a place like this.

When he sees Akira, he brightens. ]

Akira--hey, welcome.

[ to the Diner. ]

[. . . IT'S THEIR FIRST DATE AND ALREADY THERE ARE PRESENTS?? OH NO. . . AKIRA IS NOT PREPARED???]

[eyeing that box with visible confusion as he approaches Minato, hands resting in his pockets]

Huuuh. . . is this the surprise you were talking about?

[ don't expect too much, it's okay.

Anyway, Minato just offers a tiny smile at that, going back to the food he's making (beef bowls!!). ]

Yeah, that's pretty much it. It's not a lot in terms of dates, but... I guess I wanted to try to make things as date-like as possible.

[beef bowls!! with a hum, Akira meanders away from the box and slides up behind Minato to peer at his food]

[. . .]

[and then he sneakily (SNEAKILY!!!) hooks his chin around Minato's shoulder]

Well, if you ask me, just calling it a date makes it date-like enough for me.

[ SO SNEAKY.

Minato just smiles at that, turning his head to nuzzle his nose against Akira's cheek briefly. ]

You're easily pleased then. It's the first date I'm planning, so... I had to give it my best shot, you know?

[the sneakiest of thieves :3c]

I can tell. It makes me feel a liiiiittle special.

[a pause]

[. . . and then one arm SNEAKILY slides around Minato's waist from behind]

[ WOW SO SNEAKY.

Minato leans into the hold, of course. When will he ever not do that? Never. Human touch and warmth = good. ]

You are special. You're super special to me, so... I'm glad. That means things are going right so far.

[it's all very new and exciting, and Akira feels some hidden tension evaporating as Minato leans into him. yes, good. . . so this is okay. this sort of affection is good!1 with that kind of positive response, Akira can't help but wrap his other arm around Minato's waist too, pulling him into a gentle hug-from-behind]

. . . you know, if you keep talking like that, I really am going to melt.

[SAID OH-SO LIGHTLY he's obviously joking]

[ he's obviously joking, but he's also being cute, and Minato's lips twitch as he reaches over to turn off the stove. ]

You will, huh...? Maybe I like my boyfriends a little melted around the edges.

[ what does that even mean.

He nudges at Akira a bit. ]

I need to get the rice.

. . .

What's that even mean??

[??????]

[BUT HE DOES PULL AWAY so Minato can get the rice!!]

[ and as he fetches the rice to plate up-- ]

Soft. A little squishy. Very tasty.

. . .

[TURNS A LITTLE RED]

I. . . see.

[he isn't thinking about that dream nope no siree]

-- it smells good, Minato.

[ ... Minato just hums a little at that, innocently. ]

Good, I'm glad to hear it. Hopefully the taste lives up to it.

[ Rice in the bowls, and then the beef on top, and some ginger and...!! ]

Dinner's ready. Let's go sit down, okay?

[Akira can't quite tell if that was on purpose or not BUT HE THINKS. . . IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN. . . AHEM]

[clears his throat and scuffs at the ground with his toes]

At the bar? I can get us some milkshakes to go with those beef bowls.

[ Ooooh...!! ]

Milkshakes sound great. I'll put these there, then, while you get them.

[ and grab Akira's gift for him. ]

[waggles his fingers at Minato!! then goes fetch them both some good chocolate milkshakes :9]

[ :9

Minato will set their beef bowls in front of their places at the counter, and then go fetch Akira's present, setting that next to his place. ]

[THAT PRESENT. . .! AKIRA CAME EMPTY HANDED!!!! but he tries not to think about that fact as he slides Minato a freshly made milkshake and slips into a barstool in front of one steaming bowl of beef]

[sincerely]

. . . thanks.

I bet it's going to be amazing.

[he can just eat it to know, but still]

[ teasingly: ]

If it's not, you have to let me know. I don't care about first date etiquette. I want it to be a meal you can enjoy.

[lightly and playfully elbows Minato before tucking into the beef bowl. and judging by the way he smiles through eating it, it is, in fact, super delicious!!!]

[ PLEASED!! Minato is pleased as punch as he finally, finally tucks into his own beef bowl as well, once he's sure that Akira's enjoying his. ]

[humming happily as he eats, though in between bites--]

I feel like one of the great benefits of knowing you is the way you're always filling my stomach.

Where'd you learn how to cook, anyway?

[ he's quiet for a moment. Because he doesn't really want to bring down the mood when they're finally on a date.

So ultimately, what he says is: ]

I just picked it up here and there. I'm not great at it or anything, but... it was useful for me to be able to follow a recipe.

[dates are for getting to know each other!! Akira wouldn't mind!!]

[it's the brief pause that tips him off, and with a tilt of his head he regards Minato with a quiet, searching look. . . but he also doesn't pry, because it's Minato's prerogative if he wants to open those gates right now or not]

Useful, hm. . .

[he decides to keep the tone light]

I first learned when I moved to Tokyo, and Boss taught me how to make curry. But I really got some practice in this past summer, when my teammates and I went on a road trip across Japan.

[ This is a topic he'd much rather learn about anyway, to be honest. So he perks up a bit. ]

Oh? You were learning how to cook while on a road trip?

[HE'LL COME BACK TO IT LATER, MINATO IS NOT SAFE]

Mmm. What's the point of traveling across Japan if you're not learning how to make regional dishes on your way through, right?

That's definitely true... then I'm pretty sure your cooking skills could blow mine right out of the water.

[immediately]

Absolutely not.

[ wow. ]

Unexpectedly humble...

[a snort]

That's not it-- I just know what my cooking tastes like compared to yours.

[wags his brows as he takes another bite of his beef bowl!!]

And yours blows mine out of the water.

[ wrinkles his nose. ]

I don't believe you. I know that I can cook okay, especially with stuff where I know the recipe...

But I bet you can make lots more things.

[. . .]

[TAKES ANOTHER BITE OF BEEF BOWL]

[and just stares at Minato as he does so]

[ meets Akira's eyes... simply...

And then finally: ]

Cook for me next date...? We don't have to keep arguing over this, but I still want to taste some of your food.

[omg]

[he was giving Minato a TAKE THE COMPLIMENT AND RUN look but. he'll take that, too!!!]

Consider it a promise. You still need to try the world famous Leblanc curry, anyway.

[world famous. . .]

[ !!!!

He perks up. ]

Yes, I really want to try it. It's supposed to be paired with your coffee, right?

Naturally.

[he's grinning now]

The genius who dreamed up that match really knew what she was doing.

[ huh... ]

It kind of sounds like there's a story there.

Mmm. A little bit of one. It. . . isn't exactly mine to tell, but all the same. . .

[another bite of his food]

Boss sells the curry at Leblanc, but the recipe was perfected by a very good-- friend of his.

[ There's... a lot of weight to that pause.

Minato imagines there's a long story buried there, but as Akira said--it's not his to tell. ]

Got it. Well... she did an amazing job, that's for sure. I'm glad that Boss keeps selling it so everyone can enjoy it.

[one day. . .! maybe when Minato finally learns Futaba's whole story. . .]

Yeah. Me too.

[and, very sincerely]

It's a family recipe. I'm pretty honored he deemed me worthy enough to teach it to me.

[ That gets a small smile out of Minato in response. ]

Mmm... who wouldn't want you as family? I can't say I'm surprised.

[Akira's gaze turns a bit. . . distant, but his smile remains]

Mmm.

[he doesn't respond verbally to that rhetorical question]

[ ... Ah. He stepped on a landmine, didn't he? But... he supposes--Akira's family, they were out of the picture with the whole unfair probation, right...?

Still... Minato just gets gently insistent. ]

I mean it. You're the sort of person who anyone would be lucky to have as family. You're brave, and you do the right thing, but you're kind and thoughtful too.

[. . .]

[wordlessly, Akira places his utensils across his bowl and reaches across the counter, fingers wagging in a very expectant manner]

[hand!! give!! him give!!]

[ gives!! hand!!

there u go, boyfriend. ]

[takes hand!!]

[and then leans in to kiss him]

[ you know what

Yeah he's super into this.

Smooches at the diner!! ]

[Akira would hope so!! it's a chaste and gentle kiss, though Akira lingers in it before drawing back. he is not letting go of Minato's hand, either]

. . . you're cute.

[quiet, but. . . audibly grateful]

[ And Minato... just leans over to gently poke the tip of Akira's nose. ]

You're cute.

And I'm your boyfriend--saying nice things about you doesn't make me cute. That's my job.

[wrinkles his nose!!1]

You're being way too nice to me today.

[tilts his head towards the still unopened present]

Though I suppose that's not anything to complain about.

[ Nudges it towards Akira! Open at will, boyfriend.]

There's no such thing, I don't think. And if so, I like spoiling you anyway. It doesn't feel like enough people have.

[opening the gift!! might as well see what's inside!!]

I was going to argue that, but I don't know if being nice to someone is spoiling them. . .

And plenty of people have been kind to me.

[ Inside is... a lovingly hand-knit scarf! It is red for Akira. ]

In that case, I'm not spoiling you either.

[ SO THERE. ]

Anyway... I don't know if it'll ever get cold again, but I thought having something like that might be nice if it does.

[WHAT THE FUCK!!!!]

[he carefully takes the scarf out of the box and runs his fingers across the fabric, before he entwines it cozily around his neck, lips curved into a smile]

You knit?

[IMPRESSED??]

[ And a little bashfully in return: ]

A little. A scarf's the easiest thing you can knit, you know...

But I'm glad you like it.

[Akira gives a moment's pause, a hum buzzing on his lips, before just]

[twines one of the loose ends around Minato's neck too]

[and leans forward until their foreheads touch]

[ ... That's cute as shit.

Minato immediately leans in to press their foreheads together as well, expression soft. ]

... Hey there, handsome.

[with an amused breath]

Hey there.

[oh-so fond]

I've always wanted to try this.

[IT LOOKS CUTE ON TELEVISION AND IN HIS MANGA!!]

[ It's melting his whole heart to be honest. It's so cute and romantic. ]

Well?

Did it live up to your expectations?

[and, perfectly blandly--]

Needs more snow.

[AKIRA. . .]

Sorry. I can't make that happen.

Ah. . . how disappointing. . .

[his ears flick playfully]

Edited 2022-03-17 02:35 (UTC)

I know.

[ Blandly. ]

The perfect boyfriend would be able to control the weather.

Sun, snow and rain on command, ready for every perfectly romantic moment.

[how can he say that with a straight face]

[ How can either of them, really. ]

Even if I could control the snow and rain, I'd never make it happen.

It's better when it's warm and dry.

[a hum]

Less dramatic, though. For those must-have movie moments.

[but he's clearly teasing as he draws back to return to his beef bowl]

[he keeps them linked with the scarf, tho!!]

[ Extremely cute. Minato just leans forward a bit, propping his chin on his hands. ]

I think movie moments are generally left to the movies.

There's something a little beautiful about regular old mundanity, too, I think.

[finishing off the beef bowl pretty quickly, since he's been munching on it all conversation]

There's a time and place for it, just like there's a time and place for something more exciting. That's life, isn't it?

[ Minato polishes off his own quickly, of course, since he's Minato--he stretches, but carefully so he doesn't knock any of the scarf off. ]

That's true enough. I have to admit... I like a little bit of a thrill sometimes too.

So don't worry--I'll try to keep up.

[s-snorts a little bit, because Minato makes it sound like he's someone special to keep up with!! but if he argues the point, that will only invite more embarrassing compliments, so. . . maybe this time he'll keep his mouth shut]

Thanks for the meal, Minato. It was delicious.

[ Akira is learning.

But for his part, Minato just perks up a bit at that, brightly. ]

I'm really glad you liked it. Truly.

I know it's still early on, but... I wanted it to be a memorable date, at least a little.

[tugging gently on the scarf end that's attached to Minato]

You know, it's actually been a while since I've been on a date.

[heh. . . he says that a li'l sheepishly]

. . . and I didn't think I'd ever want to while stuck in a place like this.

I guess this is me eating my words, huh?

That's not true.

[ Minato just says that gently, leaning in to press his lips to Akira's forehead. ]

You're not eating your words or anything. You just... decided to give something a try that you thought maybe wasn't a good idea before.

And I'm grateful for that.

[. . . turning a bit pink]

No, no. I'm definitely eating my words.

[said lightly and jokingly]

But I don't think that's a bad thing, really.

Yeah...?

Well. Who would've thought that we'd find something like this in a weird metaphorical prison? Life's pretty hard to predict that way.

[a breathless laugh, and— perhaps it's the atmosphere, or perhaps Akira has just forgotten that he had been trying to keep it a secret, but—]

Well, it's not the first metaphorical prison that helped me forge some irreplaceable bonds. Wouldn't be surprised if it isn't the last, at this point.

[ ... Minato blinks, and tilts his head a little at that. ]

... Hm? What do you mean it's not the first?

[-- ah]

[for a moment, Akira freezes like a deer caught in the headlights, before he waves off his verbal misstep with a scoff]

Nothing. Don't worry about it.

[TIME TO TAKE A BIG SLURP OF HIS MILKSHAKE]

[ ... he frowns a tiny but persistent frown.

!!!! ]

You don't want to tell me...?

[khhhhh]

I--

[hrrrrrrrgh]

[. . . sips at his milkshake some more]

. . . I forgot you didn't know.

[ And almost at the same time, the moment Akira takes a sip at his milkshake: ]

S-sorry--I didn't mean to try to pressure you into telling me or anything if you're not comfortable talking about it.

[. . . . . . . .]

[a deep exhale, his gaze affixed on a spot on the countertop, purposefully averted from Minato's expression]

It's okay.

[said a bit quietly]

I haven't told anyone here yet. [. . .] And maybe you're the only one who would really understand.

[ Something only he would understand...? When he considers that, then all he can really think of is-- ]

... Does it have something to do with the Velvet Room?

[nods in response, not saying a single word as he waits to see if Minato can put together the pieces]

... Your Velvet Room... it was a prison?

[there's a pause as Akira slurps at his milkshake again, before he nods, expression stony]

. . . it was.

[ Minato knows the symbolism, of course. He's quiet for a long moment as he processes that, before his brow furrows. ]

I don't...

... Wait, was that because of your probation?

[props his chin against his palm, elbow on the counter. surprisingly, he finds himself. . . a little less tense about this than he thought he'd be. maybe since he had long since thrown the shackles of his imprisonment aside. . .?]

Did your attendant-- Elizabeth-- tell you about the nature of the Velvet Room? How the guest can shape its appearance?

[ Minato settles a bit, though there's still a faint, concerned furrow to his brow. ]

She did. The Velvet Room is a reflection of its guest's heart, she said.

[presses a hand against his cheat]

. . . my heart. . .

It was being held captive. A reflection of how trapped I felt.

[ ..... Minato's expression grows a little softer, and much sadder, at that. ]

... Oh. Because of what happened to you...?

[ The probation. The way everyone turned their back on him and decided he was a prisoner... ]

[a quiet nod]

Yes. And some-- other things, but. . . mostly the false charges against me.

[ He's quiet for a moment, processing that. And then he thinks about a stopped elevator and-- ]

... Did it change? The form of it--did it change at all?

[a rueful smile]

Not entirely.

But. . . the doors opened.

[the cell doors, he means]

[ And... something in Minato's expression eases at that, as he reaches for Akira's hand to squeeze in his own. ]

... That sounds pretty good, actually.

In the end... no matter what it looks like, your heart really is free, huh?

[despite the gravity of the conversation, when Akira looks up again, his expression is bright]

If anything good came out of my Journey, it was learning how to cast off the chains that had held be back.

So-- yeah. [he gives Minato's hand a tiny squeeze!] It's as free as it can be.

I see...

[ ... A deep breath in, and he lets it out again. ]

You're... really impressive, you know that?

[a breathless little huff, half-sheepish, half-amused]

Every time you say that, my instinct is to argue with you.

[but only because he's SO bad at taking compliments]

That's because you're bad at taking compliments.

[ HE KNOWS. ]

[WOW]

He just comes out and says it. . .

You'll have to prove me wrong if you want to argue it.

[holds his hand out to Minato!!]

Nah. Sounds like too much effort.

Should we head to the pool hall?

[ and Minato willingly takes that hand. ]

Okay--that sound good to me.

Let's do it.

[ Minato will just have to keep on complimenting Akira a lot then--and he feels quite ready to do so. ]

[Akira is going to DIE, he is WOEFULLY UNAWARE of the weapons Minato has in his arsenal]

[but anyway! with the scarf still twined around their necks, Akira heads out of the diner and towards the pool hall, walking hand-in-hand with the other wild card]

Hey Akira! Would I be able to get a task?

oh, hey rupert.

of course you can. any preferences on task type?

No preferences! I trust you.

all right.

go tell someone about your wedding!

[OH SNAP]

Ha! Easy to do :)

Thanks!

👍

feel free to swing by the diner when you're done. i'll hand out your token there

Will do! It might be tomorrow, but I'll give you a heads up before I head there.

that works for me.

good luck, and enjoy yourself, all right?

[what husband wouldn't be very happy to talk about his wedding!!]

Darn and here I was planning on having a horrible time talking about it!

Seriously though thanks :)

no problem. i'll talk to you later.

[a little while later:]

The quest has been completed

affirmative. the mission is finished. report to headquarters for a debriefing.

On my way to the specified location

[and he'll be at the diner a few minutes later!]

[and Akira is there waiting for him when he arrives! with a milkshake already prepared :o]

[giving him a wave as he comes to take a seat]

Hey there.

What's up?

[tosses an Echidna token in his direction]

It comes with a free milkshake.

[catching the token with a grin]

Thanks! For both. I'm actually not sure if I've had one of those before...

Seriously?

Seriously. I mean, I feel like I would remember?

[slides the milkshake towards him and makes a sort of "go on" gesture]

[takes it and takes a drink]

—That's cold! But it's so good...

Have you at least had ice cream? That's what this is made of.

[nodding]

Yeah! It tastes like that, but less solid... I like it!

There are plenty of flavors, too. Chocolate, vanilla, mint, strawberry, birthday cake--

You can fit a whole cake in here?!

[no.]

[ presuming this is set post-Cerberus ramen dinner which Minato insisted Akira stay for-- ]

Hey I know you just left and all but can I come over there

[Akira stayed for dinner!! and then probably excused himself to head back to Echidna so he didn't crowd the Cerberus dorm]

[he reads the text with a ? but replies pretty quickly]

sure. is something wrong?

People are making out in the kitchen

[

]

yeah okay, please come over

d(•͈ _•͈ ) I'll be right there.

[Akira is going to be waiting outside of Echidna by the time Minato gets there! he's dressed in his gray stripes-- an outfit he's been using consistently as pajamas since arriving-- because he was definitely winding down for the day]

[but that doesn't mean Minato isn't welcome!!]

[ a tiny smile when he sees Akira!!! ]

Hey... Are you sick of me yet?

[ he's just teasing though, he knows Akira's okay with this or he wouldn't have asked. ]

[flashes Minato a smile and extends a hand towards him]

Absolutely disgusted.

[the way he says that makes it clear it's just a joke; his demeanor is very inviting right now, and he could never get sick of seeing Minato]

[ takes Akira's hand very willingly!! ]

I thought so.

[ said amusedly though. ]

I won't stay too long. I just needed a breather, I think.

[links their hands together and guides him into Echidna]

You can stay as long as you want. I'm not going to kick you out.

I didn't think you would... but you were getting ready to rest, right?

Not really. I'm a night person and we napped earlier today, so I probably won't sleep for another few hours.

I was just getting comfy.

[and then they are in Echidna's common room! he is heading towards his room next]

Okay... that sounds good to me then.

[ wandering along!! hand in hand, casually. It's nice. ]

[it is nice. . . Akira thinks he'll never tire of moments like this]

Ssssso. . . who was making out in the kitchen?

[ alksdlnka. ]

I--I don't know if I should be gossiping about them... though I guess if they were making out in public, they probably don't mind that much...?

[laughs a little as they enter his room, and he immediately moves to sit on the bed]

I guarantee you people are gossiping about us now. But if you'd rather not say, it's okay.

I was just curious.

Well. That's different, you know...?

[ A shrug!! ]

We're dating, so... if they gossip about us, it's just about what we're doing together as boyfriends.

[ ... contemplatively: ]

Are Saturn-san and Vicious-san dating...?

[oh my god of course it was Vicious. Akira must accept be will never have the sexual confidence Vicious has]

Aaaare they?

[he doesn't know!!]

But even if they aren't, that's cute. I didn't realize they were a thing.

I... well.

[ tiny shrug. ]

I think I know more about my teammates' love lives than I was prepared for in some ways.

"Than you were prepared for?"

[flops his head onto his pillow, extending his arms to indicate that Minato should join him]

Well. . . your teammates are pretty affectionate.

Is anyone ever really prepared for knowing who's having sex with who...? Especially the people you're living with?

[ he does willingly flop into Akira's arms though, humming. ]

I'm grateful they're affectionate for sure. It's just been... a learning curve.

[slides his arms around Minato's waist in a loose hug. cuddle time!!]

Learning curve. . .

[there's a moment of silence as Akira mulls these words over in his mind before he speaks again]

. . . does it make you uncomfortable?

[ blandly: ]

I wish they'd stop getting hot and heavy in the cuddle pit, but even the jar won't stop some of them.

[ "Uncomfortable" isn't the right word but... ]

[oh no. it's an actual problem. oh no!!]

Mmmmaybe you guys need to come up with clearer ground rules. . . I mean, that's part of being roommates with people, right?

[ nooooo!!! ]

It makes them all really happy, and--I mean, they're like...they all seem to think it's pretty normal, so.

[ he's the only one being a prude about it?? ]

I'll adjust. It just definitely has taken me off-guard. Everything is so open and relaxed here.

[a small huff]

Things being open and relaxed isn't a bad thing, it's true. It's important that people feel comfortable enough to be themselves-- in all ways. And that includes feeling comfortable enough to go for what they want, regardless of how it might look to "polite society" or whatever.

[MINATO KNOWS HOW AKIRA FEELS ABOUT POLITE SOCIETY, AND THAT IS, FUCK 'EM!!]

. . . hah. . . but I guess I can see why it'd take you so off-guard. We're used to putting on masks to blend in to "polite society" where it matters.

Yeah... I think that's pretty much it.

[ he just shrugs a bit, leaning in to press their foreheads together. ]

... I admire them. The way that they can embrace what makes them happy.

[ it's just!! surprising!! ]

[. . . . . . .]

[there's something about Minato's tone that makes Akira grow distant for a moment, gaze unfocused. one hand drifts gently across Minato's back, settling at the nape of his neck, eyes fluttering slightly]

[. . .]

By admire, do you mean-- mmm. . .

[HOW WORDS]

[ how words??? Minato is definitely not getting it, judging by the quizzical tone to his hum. ]

Mm...?

[ttttentatively, a little uncertain, which is extremely uncharacteristic for Akira]

Dooooo you want to be like them?

[ he... pulls back enough to look Akira in the eye properly, looking a little... baffled.

??????

He opens his mouth...

... And then winces a little and closes it again. ]

... I think what I'm about to say is going to sound really, really selfish...

[mmmmmm]

It's okay.

You can say it. I want you to say it.

... I'm really, really sure that... everyone on Cerberus, and everyone with all of those relationships have so much love to give.

[ ... he bites his lip, looking away. ]

But I... think I really treasure... being special to you.

[ THIS IS WHY IT'S SELFISH and he looks extremely pained to have even put this into words. It does not come naturally to him BUT... BUT!!! ]

[o]

[oh]

[that's actually not what Akira had braced himself for, and his breath stills in the back of his throat]

[and then he drags Minato closer, face buried against the other wild card's neck, grip tight]

[he mutters something into Minato's neck, but it's almost impossible to make out like this]

[ ... o... oh?

Minato just... strokes Akira's hair and makes a quietly questioning noise. ]

[he is clinging sooooo tightly, fingers curling into the back of Minato's shirt]

[and then, more audibly--]

I don't think that's selfish at all. Or if it is, then I'm selfish, too.

[ ... he relaxes as well, then, all at once, shoulders slumping a little bit. ]

... Are you sure? I'm basically saying that I want all of your focus and attention.

Even though I know you're great enough to be important to lots of people like that. Um. Romantically or physically.

[ he's so bad at this. ]

[oh my god. laughs a little breathlessly, drawing back just enough to catch Minato's gaze with his own, hands pressed against his cheeks]

[he's smiling a little doofily, but it's oh-so fond]

That's exactly what I want to give you. . . and what I want from you in return.

[ ... ah. And Minato just hums softly at that, tilting his face into Akira's touch contentedly, eyes fluttering shut. ]

I'm lucky, then. That's... exactly what I want too.

... You understand me better than anyone, Akira. There isn't anyone else I'd rather be devoted to.

[tilts his head up a bit so their noses brush together. cute eskimo kisses!!]

Yeah. I feel. . . the same way.

[he feels so, so lucky]

But I want you to be happy, so. . . I dunno. I guess. . . I thought I should ask.

... You're sweet.

[ Minato is content to brush their noses together peacefully, affectionately and gently. ]

Thanks for looking out for me. I still feel... well... I'm not used to asking for someone to focus on me and only me.

But... I'm happy.

[to hear that Minato is happy, just as they are. . . well. that's all Akira could ask for in this conversation, isn't it?]

[he cards his fingers through the hair at the nape of Minato's neck, idly toying with blue locks]

I am, too.

[honestly!!]

[ .............. he rolls a little to be half on top of Akira now, peering at him. ]

Now that we've established that--there isn't anyone else you'd be interested in that with at all?

[ he doesn't sound doubtful so much as like.

He... needs this to convince himself that it's okay to expect this of Akira!!! ]

[allows for this, though his cheeks do turn a little pink. they've made out like this plenty of times before but it's still!! kind of!! exhilarating!!]

[his fingers continue to stroke through Minato's hair cuz he finds this to be soothing!! and his ears perk forward as he takes a genuine moment to consider the question]

Not really?

There are a lot of really attractive people here-- [VICIOUS] -- but I don't want to date them. Not because they wouldn't be fun to date, but because I'm just. . . well. I'm not into them that way.

[ It is soothing... and Akira's answer is soothing too. So he just rests his cheek on Akira's chest, settling there peacefully. ]

Okay. ... Mm, okay.

In that case... I think I feel okay with asking you for something like this.

[a quiet, content noise]

. . . what about you?

[the question goes both ways!!]

There are so many people I'm really fond of here. And like you said, there are lots of attractive people here.

[ Vicious' monster form. Gojo's stupidly pretty eyes. Etc.

A soft sigh. ]

But there isn't anyone who's made my heart skip a beat like you do.

[boyfriend why do u clarify "monster form." why]

[slides his fingers under Minato's chin, tracing his jawline gently as they talk. Minato has his full and complete focus, which is exactly what he wanted, right? . . . Akira is more than happy to give it. in this moment, and in so many in the future]

Why, thank you.

[earnestly pleased]

[AND THEN JOKINGLY]

Must be all that time I spent reading "Reckless Casanova."

[ at least he didn't say that out loud, right?

Anyway... Akira's touch is really, really, really nice.

And.

Then......

There's that. ]

Is... that some of your favorite reading material, or something?

A joke. It's a joke.

[tilts his head forward to press a kiss against the tip of Minato's nose]

[ the gesture is cute and Minato is weak to it. ]

I wouldn't have judged you if you read it every single night before bed.

I would have.

[that'd be super lame, Minato!]

[ It would be super duper lame. ]

Hm.

I guess I just find everything you do to be endearing.

[laughs a little, light and airy, before settling again]

. . .

I was a little worried.

[he admits, voice barely above a whisper]

. . . I care about you so much, but if you had wanted to-- to be more like Cerberus, I don't think I could have. . .

[. . . and he trails off]

Edited 2022-04-29 14:28 (UTC)

[ Hmmm... Minato inspects Akira carefully at that for a long moment, before he just cups Akira's cheek with a hand. ]

... You know my parents died when I was really young.

[ Akira saw that memory, unfortunately. ]

After that... I was passed along from distant family to distant family. I ended up in an orphanage a few times too. It wasn't... I was glad to have a roof over my head, but...

[ ... ]

I guess what I'm trying to say is... that never in my life have I felt like the most important person to... anyone.

[ SEES has gone such a long way to healing those scars, and his Social Links too, but-- ]

... What you're giving me is special, and... I don't want to give that up.

[tilts his head into that hand, eyes fluttering as he revels in the warm contact]

Minato. . .

[he utters that name just as breathlessly as his words from earlier, lifting his own hand to press his fingers against Minato's knuckles, pushing the other wild card's palm all the more firmly against his cheek]

[. . .]

[he feels like he should say something else, but. . . the words won't come, no matter how much he wishes they would. he feels light, his heart fluttering like a butterfly, threatening to float right out of his ribs]

[so what else can he do but tilt his head up to catch Minato's mouth in a kiss instead?]

[ Minato thinks that's a perfectly fine response, honestly--so he gladly and willingly leans into that kiss, thumb from the hand still cupping Akira's cheek gently sliding along the ridge of his cheekbone as he does.

They seem to be on the same page to Minato, so... he's not too terribly concerned with more words right now. ]

[they are definitely on the same page, and that fact couldn't make Akira any happier. sometimes actions speak louder than words anyway, right?]

[. . . he's melted into Minato once today already, but hey. there isn't a limit on how many times they're allowed to do this, is there? so with a completely content hum, Akira continues to kiss, keeping it just as lazy and affectionate as his earlier ones were]

[ HOW MANY TIMES A DAY CAN THEY MAKE OUT, AL--

by which I mean

They are trading affectionate kisses again, warm but relatively innocent and chaste. Minato's honestly really comfortable just like this. ]

[SO MANY TIMES. . . THEY'RE AWFUL]

[but Akira seems happy to be here again, swapping kisses with Minato like there isn't anything else in the world that matters. and quite frankly? in this moment, there isn't]

[he slides his arms around Minato's back, hooking his hands together to let them rest at the small of the other wild card's back, perfectly innocent!!]

[ innocent, warm and affectionate smooches!

Minato is pretty content to just linger in this moment for awhile--but eventually he does pull back, instead pressing his forehead to Akira's quietly.

Mmm... ]

... You're really addicting. It's not fair at all.

[it's probably a good time to pull back. . . Akira needs to catch his breath, after all. though Minato's statement does make him laugh]

I suppose I'm not really trying to be fair. . .

[tilts his head up to nuzzle Minato's nose again!!]

You just completely distracted me. Despite everything, I definitely didn't come over here to make out with you.

[ he's not mad about it, though.

Nuzzles back. ]

Uh huh.

[DISBELIEVING]

Maybe not consciously, but perhaps your subconscious wanted to take me up on my offer?

[you know. the whole. "you can make a treat out of me any time," thing. yes he remembers saying it when he was drunk]

[no he's not embarrassed even tho he should be]

..............

[ Blandly: ]

That particular offer is forever tainted by how drunk you were when you gave it.

[HEY. . .]

Do I need to come up with a smoother line while sober? I can do that.

Yeah, that would help.

I'll be looking forward to it.

You'd better.

But not now. I have to take you by surprise with it.

[ an amused snort. ]

Okay, okay... It'll be a surprise. The suspense will just make me enjoy it even more, probably.

"Probably?" You sound like you don't have much faith in me.

[light and playful, though!!]

Edited (WAIT THAT'S THE WRONG TONE) 2022-05-04 16:20 (UTC)

[ solemnly and seriously: ]

Akira, I've never had more faith in anyone than I do in you.

Shot through the heart, and you're too blame. . .

[he mutters, a bit breathless and overwhelmed as he does so]

[ omg.

amusedly: ]

Do I give love a bad name?

[EVENLY]

Only in the best way.

Hurt so good. Come on baby, make it hurt so good.

[ considers..... ]

... I don't want to make it hurt at all--

[GOD]

You're so sincere and earnest. . .

Ah... well.

I thought you might be joking but I wanted to clarify just in case--

Maybe I need to work on my sense of humor?

[that's also a joke]

That's not it either, I think your sense of humor is really great--

[ ... ]

Ah.

I'm doing it again.

[SHAKES HIS HEAD. . . but he seems entertained]

You can't turn it off, can you?

[ CLOSES HIS EYES. ]

... I guess not. I've never tried to.

Hn. . .

[reaches up to brush Minato's bangs from his eyes]

I don't think you have to.

[ his eyes flutter open at that, and he quirks an eyebrow at Akira with a tiny smile. ]

No? I'll keep missing your jokes sometimes. You don't mind?

Why would I mind?

I'll just keep telling jokes until you get one.

[and that will be a MIRACULOUS day]

Ah.

[ thoughtfully and seriously: ]

... I'll have to brace myself, then. I think I need a training montage to get better at catching them.

Pick a theme song. Eye of the Tiger is a no-go; it's been used to death.

That's fine. I like rap music more.

[wags his brows]

I'm listening.

[GIVE HIM A SONG, MINATO]

[ ... shrugs a bit.

and.

Regretfully to me, Cal, he then proceeds to spit some absolutely fire rap stanzas. Probably Lotus Juice. ]

[opens his mouth]

[closes his mouth]

[opens it more??]

Wow.

That's legitimately impressive.

[ AHEM.

He clears his throat, rubbing the back of his neck. ]

... Thanks.

[. . . a thoughtful noise, and Akira's gaze flickers from Minato's expression to the MP3 player hanging around his neck. he reaches out to toy with the device between his fingers, expression curious]

Do you have that song loaded on here?

[ Minato smiles a little at that, dipping his head. And he reaches for his headphones, offering them to Akira as he picks up the mp3 player to search for the song. ]

You can listen, if you want.

[his mouth widens into a smile of its own as he takes the headphones and tucks them against his ears]

[his eyes flutter shut as he listens to the song, head bobbing slightly in time with the music. there's something. . . intimate about this that Akira can't put into words]

[but it makes him feel pretty warm inside]

[ it is super duper intimate, and Minato just curls closer to Akira as he listens, his own eyes fluttering shut as he contentedly soaks up the moment.

This isn't originally why he came by, but... he's feeling extra, extra glad that he reached out and asked if he could, now. ]

[he came by to get away from people making out in the kitchen, right!! this is part of that]

[Akira's arms rest loosely across Minato's back as he listens. and when the song ends, so long as it automatically shuffles to another one, he'll keep listening! it almost feels like he's getting a peek into what makes Minato truly Minato this way]

[ It's an eclectic mix. It goes from rap to pop to rock to soft instrumental and dance beats and back again as the songs shuffle through.

Minato is really content to just shift until he can pillow his cheek on Akira's chest, listening to his heartbeat as Akira listens to his music. ]

[they're going to be here for a while. . . considering how late it is, though, that's probably not a bad thing. because so long as Minato stays here, curled up against his chest, Akira is more than happy to allow himself to doze off with the sounds of Minato's music echoing in his ears]

Akira? You there?

Fran-san? Hello?

Ugh yeah that'd be too convenient, huh?

[ ... ... .... .... ]

Hang in there, Akira. It's going to be okay. No matter what.

[IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE GAME IS OVER]

where are you?

[ there is a long pause while Minato deals with Lumine's monster, but after all of that-- ]

diner

[. . . relief floods his entire being when Minato replies. is that why he couldn't find him in the chaos of Tsuchigumo (and. . . non-Tsuchigumos) losing their control over their emotions?]

on my way

[and indeed, he is there as quickly as he can be, the diner door bursting open as he flies through the thresshold, panting all the while]

[he is missing his cat features, which have been replaced with yellow eyes, a pale complexion, and shadows beneath his feet that surge a little like they're alive]

Minato--

[ minato is sitting at a booth! His head is down on the table and he looks like he was contemplating life--but he sits up quickly when he sees Akira.

And it's probably because he's still shellshocked, but: ]

You... Fran-san changed again.

[ his tone is almost dreamily wondering. ]

[. . . SWEETIE. . .]

[Akira swallows thickly, something in his chest tightening. and instead of responding. . .]

[he crosses the room to draw Minato into a very tight hug]

[ ah.

That--feels very real and tangible, and after a single beat, Minato hugs back, burying his face against the side of Akira's. ]

... Hey. It's really, really good to see you.

[and he melts against Minato, holding him close, bundling him in his arms like he's something precious]

. . . yeah.

[he's shaking a little]

It's so good to see you, too. I'm so glad. . . you're safe.

[ Minato just holds Akira even tighter at the shaking, reaching up with a hand to gently stroke his hair. ]

Yeah. I'm safe. I'm okay. It's okay.

[the tension eases from his shoulders the longer this goes on, the fingers in his hair going so far to calm him down. Minato's safe. Cerberus is safe. they may have protected Bugbear, but in doing so, they protected Cerberus, too]

[. . . it's okay]

You almost-- . . . you almost weren't.

[ ... He doesn't pause in his ministrations at all. Because really-- ]

I know.

We all knew... that we probably were going to be trusted by both Kraken and Bugbear.

[ "Trusted"--is how he's choosing to look at it. ]

But... you guys came through for us, didn't you?

[hah. ever the positive spin with Minato, right. . .?]

I didn't know.

[quietly. when he has calmed down more, he'll be able to process how strange "you guys" is to him]

It was a gamble. I'm just. . . glad it worked out.

[he's so, so relieved]

... It was a good gamble to take. You protected Bugbear, right?

[ Because Cerberus' attack wasn't neutralized. ]

That saved so many people.

I did.

[he draws back, but only enough to rest his forehead against Minato's, eyes fluttering]

. . . it was a selfish choice. And I can't say I don't regret-- [he cuts himself off]

But I'm just. . . so glad you're okay.

[ ... his expression softens further, and he shifts his hands from Akira's hair and around his back to instead cup his cheeks. ]

Hey... none of that. Your choice didn't get Tsuchigumo killed. Your choice was only to protect someone--and you saved two teams with that.

Without that... and without Fran-san... we would've all been much worse off.

[his head tilts into the warmth of Minato's palms]

I know that. But even so, I made my choice knowing that they would die.

[. . .]

If they want to be pissed off about that, I think they'd have every right.

Yeah... I get that.

That's the case for everyone, you know? If Bugbear wants to be mad at us for picking Kraken instead, even though we knew they'd pick us too... they can. Or if Bugbear wants to be mad because so many people did pick them, despite last game--

... We'll all take those feelings and help carry them. That's the least we can do.

[. . . hah. that's all there is to it, right? however selfish his choice was, he still made it. and now he has to bear the consequences of same. it's really that simple]

[Minato. . . is very good at this]

[his mouth twitches, smile lopsided and oh-so exhausted. he feels like he's been through the wringer, and something-- something painful-- still encircles his heart, even though he's so grateful that Minato is alive]

You're right.

There's no point in me wallowing in guilt, is there?

[ Quietly, Minato just strokes his thumbs over Akira's cheekbones, humming softly. ]

... It's not that there's no point. And it's not that those feelings aren't valid, because they are.

But... we all made our choices. We have to hold onto them and learn from them and grow from them... because I think otherwise it could be a little insulting to everyone else.

Yeah.

[he can see there's a reason Minato is his senpai. . . at times like this, he is so much wiser than Akira. or, at the very least, he's capable of being logical when Akira's heart is so heavy with emotions-- both those he understands, and those he does not]

[a deep exhale, and he presses his own hands against Minato's cheeks in turn]

Are you okay, though? I know you are physically, but emotionally-- how is Cerberus?

[ Minato immediately inclines his head into that touch, eyes fluttering as he soaks it up.

Mmm... ]

Not sure yet. I mean--I'm okay. I think we're all okay. We knew what was going to happen, so we had time to come to terms with it. So, um... I guess it's just kind of... surprising?

I'll check in with everyone after we're all done running around making sure our loved ones are okay.

[he nods at that, eyes finally fluttering open again]

Mmm. All right.

If there's anything I can do for you guys, please let me know.

We were saying that about you guys.

[ His lips twitch in faint amusement. ]

That we should invite all of Echidna over to dinner after this for a cozy night. Now that you've all saved us... there's even more reason for that.

[. . . his expression twists into puzzlement]

"All of Echidna?"

[ ... ? ]

Yes...? I'm sure it was really hard on all of you to have to make that decision.

[????]

You mean-- just me, right?

... No. I definitely don't.

[ ....... ]

Akira. Do you not remember everyone else...? Yanli-san, and Geto-san, and everyone else?

[CON. . . FUSED???]

Minato, I'm the only member of Echidna.

Who. . . are Yanli and Geto?

[ he straightens up immediately. ]

... You're definitely not.

[ what.... ]

What... what even happened in there? Why don't you remember-- no... I guess you wouldn't remember that either.

... Akira. How did you end up picking Bugbear?

[he opens his mouth-- and pauses, brows furrowed. now he looks like he's searching his brain for the answer, but is coming up a little short]

I. . . [another pause]

. . . it's really hazy, but I knew Cerberus, Tsuchigumo, and Bugbear were in danger. . . so I chose. . . that way?

[why is it a question]

[ his brow furrows. ]

... How did you know that we were in danger? For a fact?

[. . . . . . . . . . .]

I don't-- know?

[ WHAT DID Y'ALL DO.

Closes his eyes. A slow breath in. Okay. Focus, Minato. Put aside the near death experience. ]

... Something must've happened in that room. You don't remember the rest of Echidna... and you knew more than you were supposed to know according to the rules of the task.

[ a... trade? knowledge for knowledge? Is that even possible? ]

[WHAT DID THEY DO INDEED!!!

That. . . doesn't make sense? My job was to choose a team to protect. What I did was within the rules of the task.

[also Minato may notice that there's a piece of paper sticking out of his pocket? hmm]

But... I didn't think Echidna got special information on who to protect... you said you knew what teams were in danger.

[ HMMM...

he leans over to gently pluck it from Akira's pocket. He won't read it though, just offering it back instead. ]

What's this...?

[he's about to respond, but--]

[then Minato is plucking a piece of paper from his pocket, and now he just looks super puzzled]

Hn?

[it's a note btw]

[ ........ ECHIDNA WHAT DID YOU DO.

Wordlessly, Minato just offers it to Akira. ]

... This is definitely important.

[with the same puzzlement, Akira takes the note, eyes flicking left and right as he reads it]

[. . .]

[his expression shifts notably the further he gets into the note, features falling and becoming more and more alarmed the further he gets in. and when he finishes. . .]

[he takes a deep breath]

Ah.

[THAT'S ALL??]

[ Minato just looks a little pained. ]

... Akira...

[carefully folds the note and places it back into his pocket with the kind of reverence someone gives a precious heirloom]

. . . it's okay.

[haha!]

It's. . . fine.

[hahaha. . .]

I think. . . I see what happened now.

... Yeah. Me too.

[ ... ]

But you know... it doesn't have to be "fine".

[. . .]

[he thinks. . . he's starting to understand that lingering feeling of sorry that he somehow can't shake]

No. Really. It's. . . fine.

[or as "fine" as something like this can be. as "fine" as it is when a wild card loses some of their precious confidants]

If I wrote myself a note, then the others must have, too. Right?

... I'm sure they did. And I'm sure... that you guys will come to know each other again. Those bonds haven't just disappeared.

[ ... mmmrrrr. ]

Still--still.

You don't have to be fine right now, Akira.

Minato.

[not. . . sharp, per se, but very firm. his hands curl into fists, knuckles white]

It has to be fine.

[ ... he quiets for a long moment.

And then dips his head. ]

... Okay. ... If you say so.

[his expression flickers, something apologetic crossing his features]

. . . sorry. I didn't mean to sound harsh.

[very contrite!!]

And I'm not trying to be avoidant.

[even more quietly, emphasizing his words in hopes that Minato will understand without him being able to properly convey why]

But I have to believe it's fine.

[or else. . . how is he supposed to deal with this??]

No... you don't have to apologize.

[ He still does not think it's fine, and he's not so sure about this coping mechanism, but--

What he can at least acknowledge is: ]

It will be. It will be fine--because it's you, and Echidna. and your bonds are undoubtedly so strong.

[quiet for a long moment after that, eyes slipping shut as he sucks in a deep breath]

[. . .]

[he holds a hand out to Minato]

[ and quietly, immediately, Minato reaches out to take Akira's hand in his own, squeezing it gently. ]

[. . . somehow, that grip is anchoring. . . it keeps Akira grounded to reality, and helps him believe that what he said is true. it's fine. . . it's going to be fine. he has to trust the rest of Echidna, despite not even knowing who they are-- it's something his past self asked of him, right?]

[. . .]

Thank you.

[quietly, but earnestly]

Edited 2022-05-09 02:20 (UTC)

[ And Minato immediately shakes his head at that, squeezing Akira's hand back in return. ]

... You don't have anything to thank me for. Being here with you in moments like this... I want this just as much as when things are going well.

[ that's what it means to be what they are to each other, right? ]

I'd never be anywhere but here.

[lets out a breathless laugh, raking a hand through his hair]

. . . can't believe I came here to make sure you were okay and wound up being comforted instead.

[ Just... quirks an eyebrow at that. ]

Being around you like this has comforted me too, so... don't think any of this was just one way, okay?

. . . mmkay.

[no arguments from him on that one. he'll accept it for what it is]

[ Honestly? That's good enough for Minato.

He just takes a deep breath, and then lets it out. It's going to be okay. Everything... will be okay.

And then he reaches out to cup Akira's cheek with his free hand and leans in for a quiet and gentle kiss. ]

[leans into that immediately, eyes fluttering, his own hands coming to rest at Minato's hips]

[ ... ]

Are you going to be okay, staying at Echidna? You can stay over at Cerberus if you want.

[there's a moment's pause before he nods]

I'll be okay.

If there are going to be people there- [however weird that sounds!!] -- I should go see them.

... Okay.

[ He squeezes Akira's hand gently. ]

If you need anything... you know where to find me. Don't hesitate, okay?

[his mouth twitches into a lopsided smile]

I won't.

[and that's something Minato can count on, all things considered]

Hi, Akira! You said you can heal, right?

[SO THIS QUESTION IS CONCERNING]

are you hurt???

Just cracked ribs, nothing major!

[WHEEZE]

what happened!!

[ EVERYTHING'S FINE, GOSH. ]

Just caught Kaine in an OW kind of day, so he doubled the ow? Accidentally.

[tsuruno]

where are you i'll be there in five

In the motel lobby.

[there's no reply, he just kind of bursts through the Echidna door some five minutes later]

Tsuruno--?

Hi!

[ she's just chilling, one hand gingerly resting over her ribs. ]

[scanning her up and down for any additional injuries as his hand drifts to his face, fingers pressed across his cheeks like he's grasping at a mask]

Has anyone ever told you that you tend to give them heart attacks?

[ she's probably got some bruising on her knees but hardly anything to worry about. ]

Not recently?

[a breathless laugh as a flicker of blue fire dances around his features, followed shortly by a semi-transparent woman (Ishtar!!) appearing behind him. the Persona extends her hands towards Tsuruno, green light flooding her fingertips. the light washes across Tsuruno like a waterfall, easing her wounds mildly and repairing the fractures to the point of where she can breathe, but! some pain will linger; it can't heal her injuries entirely]

Buuuut it has happened before?

I... can be a little impulsive.

[ but she watches the proceedings with interest, relaxing as the light washes over her and the pain fades to something tender but manageable. ]

Thanks, though!

I've noticed.

[a bit exasperated, but fondly so. the woman vanishes back into nothing when the spell fades, and Akira lowers his hand to his side]

You're welcome. How's Kaine?

As okay as he can be, I think... I was able to heal him a little or at least help with the pain and I walked him back to the dorm, but I can't really do anything about his skin.

[ Feels bad, man. ]

[. . . :(]

What happened to him?

I'm not sure... his face started... acting up, and he was suddenly screaming and in a lot of pain.

[khhhh. . . he doesn't know Kaine very well, but. . .]

Was it his possession?

I don't know... maybe? [ she looks apologetic. ]

. . . I hope he's okay.

[he isn't quite sure what else to say to all this]

I'll make sure to check on him, after he's rested.

[. . .]

Try not to get hurt again, okay?

Take care of yourself, Tsuruno.

I will, I promise. I have even more precious people now.

[nods!!]

And you're precious to them.

Hey Akira do you have a second

Edited 2022-06-02 15:22 (UTC)

are you sure you only want one? i can give you at least sixty.

Very generous thank you sir

First off there are some really cool bugs outside you should go see them if you haven't but also can I get a task

. . . i didn't know you were a bug person???

your task is to catch a jar of those bugs and find someone who doesn't know anything about them and educate them on what makes them great.

i don't count, obviously

I'm kind of an animal person in general and these ones shine!!

Sounds good! They probably have jars in the diner right

they definitely have jars in the diner. go forth and be a bug nerd, rupert

I'm always ready to go forth and be a nerd

Thanks Akira!

anytime, rupert. i'm your token guy,

I kind of feel bad just texting you for that though so we should hang out sometime!! We have a massage chair now

i saw. nobara showed it to me the last time i was at kraken.

. . . speaking of, your newest teammate is someone i know.

Zenkichi? Whoa I had no idea

A friend or something else?

a friend.

. . . a teammate.

Are you glad he's here?

[that is such a tough one to answer, god]

i'm happy to see him again.

but i wish the circumstances were different.

Yeah... I bet

We'll do our best to take care of him

i know you will.

i trust you.

He seems like a nice guy. I can see why you get along with him.

he acts tough, but he's a big softie on the inside.

his only real flaw is that he's a cop.

[AKIRA. . .]

What's a cop

[RUPERT. . .]

you're very lucky, rupert. you're a very lucky man

[sometimes you are medieval]

Should I be concerned

nah. like i said, zenkichi is a good guy.

Yeah but I meant like in general

Seriously what's a cop

[hmmm]

law enforcement. their purpose is to "keep the peace" or whatever. they "catch criminals" and "serve the public."

but since the policing system is super corrupt back home most of them suck.

Ahhh jeez

So basically the people supposedly in charge of helping people are awful so they only make things worse?

mmmmyep.

[. . .]

but zenkichi gets a pass because he actually does want to help.

I'm glad at least he does... Hopefully there are more like him and you find a way to get rid of the others

[a lengthy pause before Akira's reply]

systematic change like that doesn't occur in a day. there are. . . good people in the system. people who want to make a difference. they just have a very long journey to trek to get there.

and when i'm older, maybe i can be one of them.

I think that's a pretty admirable goal.

[hah]

thanks.

i plan to keep fighting for the kind of world i want to live in. no matter what it takes.

[even if he can't do it with the power of his personas]

And that's what makes you a pretty cool person!!

[RUPERT]

i think it just makes me stubborn.

It can be both

Take the compliment

noooooo taking compliments is hardddddd

Maybe I'll get Minato to help me convince you...

i'll fight you both.

Will you? Will you really?

i absolutely will. don't underestimate me.

Hmmm.......

don't doubt me

One second, texting Minato

[he is not]

bring it on

[HE IS READY]

Oh

Well I was joking but I can if you want me to

oh no i was just joking too. obviously

No take backs Akira

are you really going to do it???

[leaves him on read for like two minutes before]

No

[THAT'S SO MEAN RUPERT!!!!!]

🙄

😋

Hey do you have a few minutes

why do you always only ask for a minute or two

i have more than two minutes to give to you rupert

you can ask for like

many hours

it's okay i promise

Because it's like

A phrase

I am not literally only requesting a minute

[A SNORT]

what can i help you with, rupert?

[ She's never done this before, time to see how this works. ]

[HELLO, THERE IS AN ECHIDNA HERE!! he is dressed as a bellboy (in Velvet Room blue) and gives her a wave]

Oh.

Hi. First time?

...

[ She slowly lifts her phone without breaking eye contact and snaps a photo of him. ]

Yes.

[GIVES A THUMBS UP FOR THE PHOTO, his expression even]

[ He gets a THUMBS UP in return before she puts the phone away again and clears her throat, affecting her most serious expression. ]

Akira-kun, listen. I was going to do this with that suggestion box, but I might be sabotaged before I can use it. You've gotta help me.

[oh. this sounds devious?? he's already into it]

If a conspiracy is what you're aiming for, I'm your guy.

What's our crime?

[Akira. . .]

For my first time, I need you to hook me up with some balls.

Like maybe a thousand of them.

The plastic colorful kind, like they put in kid's ball pits.

[opens mouth]

[closes mouth]

I could get you, like. . . ten, maybe?

Could they at least be big?

I need to fill a pit.

[HAND OVER HIS HEART]

I'll do my best.

. . . do you need tokens for extra box requests?

If I can get them from the box, yes? But I've gotta do it before Saturn gets to it.

[omg]

I'm not sure I understand the conflict here, but I'm intrigued.

For some reason, he doesn't like the idea of making that pit in the middle of our dorm into a ball pit.

Like, to the point where he threatened to ask the box to not let me ask for things for like a week? So I've gotta cut him off first.

[. . . omg!!]

[CLASPS HIS HANDS ON HER SHOULDER]

If we hurry, I bet we can beat him to it right now.

For the sake of the ball pit.

Edited 2022-06-12 00:39 (UTC)

You're the best!

[ SPARKLE SPARKLE SPARKLE SPARKLE ]

No.

[squeezes her shoulders, expression DEAD SERIOUS]

I'm just a ball pit advocate.

Destroy all ball pit opponents. They know not what joy they fight against.

He tried to say it was--[ she pitches her voice into a snooty tone, because frankly she can't go much deeper than her standard voice ]--"ridiculous." Like it was going to ruin the decor or something. We're practically designed like a fancy dungeon, is a ball pit really going to make it worse?

Maybe he's just mad that the cuddle pit will no longer be fit for cuddling.

Joke's on him: you can cuddle in a ball pit, too.

[TO THE SUGGESTION BOX]

I dunno, he seems to not have any problems with anything like that.

[ She may have a certain opinion of Saturn at this point, sorry Saturn. ]

But yeah, let's see how many we can coax out of the box. If I can fill the whole pit, I'll be ecstatic.

[Akira shares the opinion, don't worry]

Surely the box will understand that we're doing Cerberus great justice in making this request, right?

It's enrichment! That's good for everyone.

[ Never mind how promiscuous your teammates are, this is definitely important. There's a definite little skip in her step. ]

And also, I want to do my best to get video of his face in particular when he sees it.

I can help with that. We'll pick out the perfect angle, and I'll lead him in so you can be ready.

[THIS IS A WHOLE THING NOW]

Ehhh, you're gonna be my co-conspirator that far? I knew I liked you.

I like to do crimes. That's all there is to it.

[IT'S NOT A LIE. . .?]

It's not a crime! It's--

[ How would crime dad put it... ]

...a forcible introduction to avant garde elements in your home decor.

That's a fancy way of saying "crime."

[own it ritsuka!!]

I live there too! I'm allowed to decorate how I want!

[ neverrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr ]

Crimes.

Interior decorating crimes.

[btw they're at the suggestion box. gesturing towards it, in a "you first" kind of way]

Where's the crime? Really? Everyone could use a little more color.

[ She had a very nice and heartfelt request for the box before this, but now it is time

to just scribble a "please give me as many ball pit balls as possible, thank you" and stuff it into the box. ]

[HEARTFELT REQUESTS CAN WAIT UNTIL LATER. ONLY CRIMES NOW!!]

[does not respond; instead, he's watching her as she does that, still doing his best to keep his expression PERFECTLY BLASE]

[all the way up until the box spits out ten ball pit balls, one at a time, each one aimed for her head. sorry Ritsuka]

[ IT'S FINE IT'S COOL PLASTIC BALLS ARE NOWHERE NEAR AS BAD AS ARROWS OR SWORD PROJECTILES OR

which is to say, she dodges all of them pretty easily. It is the most graceful she has been in Reverie thus far.

To the box: ]

Wow, rude, but thanks!

[. . . wao]

[GOLF CLAPS]

That was extremely impressive.

[ She dips low in a stage bow. ]

Thank you, thank you, that was a lot easier than dealing with arrows.

[why is she dealing with ARROWS]

. . .

You know I have to ask, right?

...

I don't suppose you'd buy that I was part of an extreme archery club?

Nope, but that is a very nice try.

[scooping up the ten ball pit balls as they chat]

What if I said I'd signed an NDA?

[ She probably has, is the thing. ]

Or how about--"I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you"?

[STARES AT HER]

[LOOKS HER UP AND DOWN]

I don't think you'd actually kill me. Or anyone, for that matter.

[that's a compliment]

[ UNFORTUNATELY............................,

She blinks, then laughs, a single breathless huff, rubbing the back of her neck. ]

I wouldn't want to, at least. I'd do everything to avoid it.

[he laughs too, bringing the collected balls to her to deposit them into her arms]

Well. . . I'm not going to press. If you want to talk about it, you'll talk about it.

[that's the way of the Confidant!!]

But I am pretty good at keeping secrets.

It's not really a secret here, is it? --Thanks.

[ The last she says absently, juggling the balls. ]

You can just look it up on my profile. I've already had several people hit me with that.

That seems like a breach of privacy. I don't like relying on the profiles.

[also he's going to request TEN MORE ball pit balls from the box while they talk]

They're public, though, so it's technically public knowledge now.

[ Thanks, Akira, you're a pal. ]

I've looked at mine, at least, and there's nothing in it that I would deny.

[hmmm. . .]

[the box is spitting out ten more ball pit balls, and he is carefully catching each one as they fly out]

There isn't anything in mine I'd deny, either.

You can look sometime, if you want. I'll give you permission.

[ Hmmmm... there's a moment as she considers, and then she puts the balls down so she can shrug out of her uniform jacket, tying knots into the sleeves so it can sort of act as a makeshift bag for balls. ]

[dumping the balls into the makeshift bag. IT'S ONLY TWENTY BALL PIT BALLS BUT LIKE, HERE THEY ARE]

You can look at mine, too. Quid pro quo, right?

[ It's better than nothing!! She watches that, the corner of her mouth twitching up into a smile that she can't quite suppress. ]

What, so, I show you mine, you show me yours?

Something like that.

[flashing her a smile of his own]

I don't like to take without giving in return, and vice versa.

[which isn't fully true, in some cases, but in this one he thinks it's very fair]

Fair enough.

[ She juggles her burdens enough to fish out her phone. She's a modern teenager, she can absolutely navigate to her profile one-handed, turning to show it to him. ]

You can avert your maidenly eyes now, if you want.

My eyes are not maidenly. They're full of sin.

[he says SO BLANDLY as he also pulls out his phone, navigating to his own profile to share alongside hers]

[ She skims it quietly, then looks up at him, completely deadpan. ]

I knew it. You are yakuza.

[EVENLY]

Did I deny it before? I can't remember. Oh no, you found out my secret.

[he's scanning hers too, btw]

[ Enjoy the three down for now, because canon updating to post Lostbelt 4 is coming, ]

Kyaaa. I'm so scared now, I've never met a real-life yakuza member.

[WHEEZES]

You didn't seem that terrified back when I kidnapped you. I think you've got way more guts than that.

Oh no, I was totally terrified. Shaking in my boots, and so on, and so on.

Uuuuuh huh.

[LIGHTLY AMUSED]

[but he does give a small gestures to her phone]

Not to change the subject-- [definitely to change the subject] -- but. . .

[GESTURES. MORE??? use your words, Akira]

Akira-kun, unfortunately, I do not have any psychic powers, dormant or otherwise.

[ USE YOUR WORDS, AKIRA!! ]

Damn. And here I had hoped you'd tap into them the more I gestured at you.

[OKAY, OKAY]

[. . .]

[he sobers up a bit]

It sounds like you've been through a lot.

...Aha, that's--...

[ ...

What else can she say? She shrugs. ]

I mean, I'm doing my best. That's the best I can say.

[flashes her a small smile]

Sometimes it's the only thing anyone can say. And that's okay.

That's all I've been ever to say.

[ She shrugs. Sometimes, you were never meant to be more than an extra body to pad out numbers, and then suddenly you're The Only One Left. Bad times! ]

[he doesn't even know that part yet!!]

. . . it's not a fight you're battling alone, is it?

Yes and no.

[ UNFORTUNATELY, ]

I'm the only one who can do the role I have. But I have a lot of support, so I can't say I'm alone, either.

[. . . he nods at that, satisfied]

If you don't mind me asking-- what is your role?

...

[ There's a long pause, and then she takes a deep breath, looking him in the eye, unblinking. ]

The one who'll see it through to the end.

[. . . hah. his lips twitch lightly]

That's. . . a tough role to carry.

But I believe you can do it.

Someone has to. And I guess that someone is me.

[ She shrugs a little, lightly. ]

[the protag energy in this one is Strong but also, he's slowly beginning to peg her as That Type (TM)]

[(THAT TYPE TO TAKE ON THE WORLD WITHOUT ASKING FOR ANY SUPPORT IN RETURN--)]

With that kind of pressure, I bet you're pretty excited when you can do normal teenager things, right?

[ Wow no one has any idea where you got that idea, Akira, ]

I don't even know if I remember all of what normal teenager things are anymore...

You can experiment. You know. . . do things that feel "normal" to you, and see how you like them. Especially here, right?

We have a pool hall, after all.

I don't actually know how to play pool!

...Poker, yeah, though no one lets me play anymore. I've got a terrible face for it.

I can teach you, if you're interested in learning. Poker is way overrated, anyway.

I'd like to! ...though I don't mind poker. It's better when it doesn't end in a fight, but it was kind of fun.

Poker's fun when you don't take it too seriously. Maybe I'll get us a deck of cards to try that one day, too.

[for now? he gestures that she follow him to the pool hall!]

I don't have to take it seriously to know I'm bad at it. Robin says it's worse than trying to take candy from a baby.

[ She follows, folding her hands behind her back as they walk. ]

Did you punch me?

[oh god here comes the regret]

y

yeah

sorry. . . about that

I never saw it coming.

[...]

(･ω<)☆

Edited 2022-07-04 21:36 (UTC)

[. . . wh]

i have to be honest this is not the response i expected from someone i punched in the face???

I'd be angrier, but winning the game fixed my broken nose and dental work, so no harm done.

[h-huffs a little on his end of the phone]

i don't think that's exactly true, but i won't. . . argue it if you're not really mad.

i just

wasn't. . . thinking

i know you weren't yourself at the time, so

Honestly, I'm a little shocked you would hit a girl. Let alone a girl with glasses on.

hey, i know some pretty tough girls

. . . but i don't have an excuse for the glasses thing. i didn't break them, did i?

I am not a tough girl. I am a 112 pound twig.

You're offering me a replacement?

if i broke them, yes?? kind of. a token for a replacement, maybe?

They didn't split in half, but they did slide off across the floor and scuff. From the impact. Of your fist colliding with the dead center of my face.

A replacement pair, and contact lenses?

[. . . . . . . SHE IS TWISTING THE GUILT KNIFE!! he deserves it]

you're really milking this, aren't you?

two tokens, then. any preferences on the task i give you for them?

Maybe multiple sets of contact lens just in case? In multiple colors, of course.

I'll use them to cosplay, and that'll be my task.

you'll have to take that up with the box. i can only give tokens for extra box requests, not the items themselves.

and i need to give the task before you get the tokens, so i can't make using the contact lenses you get from the tokens your task.

oh... is that how it works.

that's how it works.

it's dumb. i know.

[ So.

It's pretty late by this point. Minato had to check in on Phoenix and Basilisk, had to talk to everyone on Cerberus, had to have brief dozing sessions on Unisonya and with Ritsuka, but eventually...

He shoots Akira a text. ]

On my way back. Let me in...? （人･ω･)

[ ... he can be found outside the door, leaning against the wall. He's... he's really tired, and he's slowly sliding down the wall, bit by bit, as he loses the fight against gravity.

At least he's properly cleaned up and totally blood free now. ]

Edited 2022-07-06 02:26 (UTC)

[it's okay, Akira had some quality Echidna time while Minato was gone mostly in an attempt to distract himself from??? you-know-what?? so he doesn't rush the other wild card to return home until he's good and ready, though he does perk up pretty happily when the text arrives]

be right there

[. . . and of course when he eventually opens Echidna's front door, Minato is already half asleep]

. . .

That looks very uncomfortable.

[ ... ... .......

Minato straightens abruptly, a little disheveled from his slow slide down the wall. ]

I'm--very awake. Still...!

[laughs, a genuine noise that sounds like chimes in the wind, despite the horrors of the past like. . . day or so]

[extends a hand towards Minato]

Mmmhm. Sure you are. I believe you.

... Good. You should.

[ it's just a mutter, though, fake-ly petulant, before Minato reaches out to take that hand, biting back another yawn. ]

Anyway... I'm back. How were things while I was gone?

[curls his fingers around Minato's, grip warm]

I was a real bully while you were gone. You totally missed it.

[ squeezing Akira's hand gently and contentedly. ]

Oh yeah? I'd like to hear about that, I think.

[HIS EYES SPARKLE WITH MISCHIEF]

I said nice things about Echidna.

To their faces.

[fiend!1]

[ omg. Minato laughs a tired but sincerely amused, huffed out laugh at that. ]

No, you didn't. That's so cruel. So vicious. So rude. Etcetera, etcetera.

I know. I'm a real scoundrel.

[gives Minato's hand a tiny little squeeze]

Did I tell you. . . I've been getting my memories back of them, bit by bit.

I think I have them all now.

[ ... !!! ]

Really?

[ This is the best news Minato's gotten in awhile, honestly. ]

That's great, Akira...! I'm so happy for you.

[SOME GOOD NEWS TO BALANCE OUT THE SHITTY NEWS. . .]

Mmm. I'm pretty happy about it, honestly. I think some of the others are still remembering, though.

[but that's okay. now that he remembers, he can wait]

Mm... but now we know... it's probably only a matter of time until they do. I'm so, so glad...

[ in fact, he's just going to tug Akira into a hug. Good news!!! And memories of your friends are... well, precious. ]

[THEY'RE STILL ON THE STAIRWELL!! but that's okay, Akira can stop descending for a bit to return that hug, arms pressed tightly against Minato's back]

. . . it's cute how strongly you felt about all of that mess, by the way.

[ IT'S FINE HE WANTS A HUG RIGHT NOW.

He keeps it brief, at least. ]

... Ah, well...

Not remembering the people you care about sounds... really hard...

[when Minato lets go, Akira loops their arms together so they can continue their descent]

Iiiiit wasn't exactly pleasant, no.

[hah]

But it's okay now. And since I remember, I can honestly say we made our decision for a very good cause.

[ there's a flicker of concern on Minato's face at that, but... he can't exactly argue it, either. Akira will make the choices he thinks are best. ]

... Just be careful, okay...? As careful as you can be, given the circumstances...

[ he knows it's rich considering the game they just went through, but still!! ]

H-hah.

[very rich considering the game they just went through!! even though Echidna came out of it relatively unscathed]

How did your visit with Phoenix go?

[ he just looks a little rueful at that. ]

It was tough. I had a hard time convincing them that they didn't have to do anything for me.

[ HE HAS A HARD TIME WITH PEOPLE BEING APOLOGETIC AT HIM because he doesn't think he's ever been wronged a day in his life-- ]

[MINATO!!!]

You should let them make amends. Even if it's something small, it'll make you all feel better.

I will, I will... I just don't think they need to...

But I can tell it'll make them feel better, so...

[ shrug... he wasn't going to deny them that. ]

[a pause]

[. . . flicks Minato's forehead (GENTLY)]

It's okay to be a little selfish sometimes.

[ Minato blinks blankly at Akira at that, lifting a hand to press to his forehead.

??? ]

I know that...

[ does he? we just don't know. ]

But...

[ mmmm. ]

I don't know. People taking responsibility for what happened in that task doesn't make me feel better.

[AKIRA DOUBTS THAT HE DOES. . . but it's okay it's a work in progress]

[gently]

What would make you feel better, then?

[ Minato's quiet for a long moment... and then, with a faint sigh, he dips his head and shrugs a little tiredly. ]

I... don't know.

[ ...

Then he reaches out, gently, to grab Akira's sleeve between his fingers. ]

... Except... um, being with you, right now.

[. . . ah. . .]

[Akira's smile is soft and gentle as he dislodges his sleeve from Minato's grip, replacing it with laced fingers and palms pressed tightly together. he doesn't say anything verbally to that, but only because he feels like the gentle contact speaks far louder than words]

[they've made it to the bottom of the stairwell now, so. . . it's time to pad quietly to Akira's room. no one else from Echidna seems to be around in the common areas to bother them, at least!!]

[ Minato is not about to argue with that, honestly. The contact is warm and gentle, and he's content to just follow quietly. He barely gives the common areas a glance--once he notes they're alone, his shoulders slump a little in relief.

He likes Echidna, but he's not in any state to socialize much more, honestly.

To Akira's room...! ]

[socializing is hard after a long day of murder!! Akira stays silent all the way up until his bedroom door clicks quietly shut behind them. only then does he turn towards Minato, taking the other wild card's free hand in his own, so they're standing face-to-face with both pairs laced together]

. . .

There's something I wanted to ask you.

[ Minato just blinks at Akira blankly, a little blearily. It's pretty plain from his face that he has absolutely not idea where this is going. ]

... Mm? Okay. What is it?

[there's a pause while Akira searches Minato's expression and tries to find the words to say what it is he wants to say. and in the end--]

. . . did you mean it?

[THAT'S VAGUE]

[ THAT'S VERY VAGUE.

And Minato is still exhausted and quickly reaching the end of his stamina; now that he's back with Akira, he doesn't feel like he has to be "on", anymore, and can kind of just... relax.

So he just looks puzzled, clearly not at all remembering or processing what Akira's talking about. ]

... Probably...? I usually mean what I say...

[ ...? ]

What are we talking about in particular, though?

[his cheeks flush a little red when Minato says "I usually mean what I say," because. . . that's true, isn't it?? it's one of the most obvious things about Minato in the first place]

. . .

[DEEP BREATH. . . and he brings Minato's both of hands up to his mouth so he can brush a light kiss against his knuckles]

Okay

Then-- I love you, too.

[FOR THE FIRST TIME HE'S SAID IT ALOUD]

[ ...?

?????

??????????

Minato... needs a moment. ]

[ that knuckles kiss was so cute??? His heart absolutely skipped a beat there. ]

[ ....................... wait, he did say that, didn't he? It's a little vague in his head but he's pretty sure-- ]

[ .........................

Minato just... kind of nods slowly... because there is nothing else he can really do at this point.

He said it. Now Akira's said it. The words themselves make his entire heart flipflop and also somehow jump to his throat, and he's not entirely sure how to respond at all.

Because... because he does mean it. He did, and he does. And he's exhausted, he's overwhelmed, he's at the end of his rope and so...

Softly, with his cheeks flushed and his eyes wide: ]

... I do love you. Too. I--I meant it. Every single word.

[Akira's lips curve into a smile against Minato's knuckles, his expression soft and definitely adoring]

Yeah?

[his thumbs trace idle patterns against the backs of Minato's hands]

It was very romantic, the way you said it.

[FOR A DEFINITION OF ROMANCE]

Was it...?

[ Minato is not so sure about that, but... he just smiles a little, pitching forward to gently thunk his forehead against Akira's. ]

Well... so long as you're happy, I'm happy. Like I said... I really meant it.

I'd never take it back.

It was.

[he is going to stay firm on this, too!! he leans forward as well, pressing their foreheads together as his eyes flutter and he finally drops their hands loosely between them]

It made my heart flutter like a bundle of butterflies.

[ ..... he blinks. ]

Wow. That's... that's really cute, Akira.

You're really cute.

[EASILY]

Thanks.

You're really cute, too. Just so you know.

[his tone is light!! because despite the depth of the words they've now exchanged between them. . . some things never change]

[ ... Minato, unfortunately, interrupts this adorable moment with... a huge, jaw-cracking yawn.

And is just left blinking blearily afterwards.

Maybe they should nap. ]

[honestly? they probably should. it's been a long and exhausting day, and both of them are still recovering emotionally from everything that happened]

[but]

[Akira can't help himself. Minato yawns, and he ducks his head in a small, fond laugh]

[and then he leans forward to catch Minato's mouth in a kiss. right at the end of his yawn, when he's least expecting it, but also when his mouth isn't wide open because that would be super weird]

[ .........

he's not prepared for it. At all. Akira steals that kiss, and Minato doesn't reciprocate very well, because it's right when he's least expecting it. ]

[ ........... !! ]

W-wait, I missed it--kiss me again...!

[omg. . .]

You're so concerned about missing a stolen kiss. . .

[SO, SO FOND!! but yeah, he leans in to kiss Minato again, this time much more slowly, lingering with their lips pressed together so he can savor the gentle moment]

Of course--

[ he is!! That's important!!

But anyway, he doesn't really have to finish that statement before Akira's leaning in for another one, and that's way more important. He lingers contentedly, eyes sliding shut as he basks in the very gentle and sweet moment.

That's better. ]

[for as much as Akira teases, even he can admit that this is much better. . . and there's something about this kiss in particular that sends his heart thrumming warmly in his ears. he truly never thought he'd be in this position, enveloped by someone he finds so completely and utterly amazing. . . fortunate enough to have such a bright presence lighting up his life. but now that he's here, he can't even begin to fathom where he'd be without it]

[. . . they're both exhausted, but Akira makes no move to lie down, no move to return to bed so they can finally sleep. some things, he thinks dully in the back of his mind, are so much more preferable!!]

[ Akira makes no move to return to the bed, and honestly? Minato doesn't either. This entire situation is intoxicating and distracting and warming, and Minato has no interest in letting it end too quickly. Akira has managed to convince him that he deserves this, that they both deserve this, and that's enough for Minato to give himself over to it fully.

So one slow, warm, loving kiss becomes two, and then a slow third, and then...

...

... Then Minato has to break away to stifle a yawn, turning his head a little so he doesn't just completely yawn in Akira's face.

Ugh, dammit!! ]

[. . . a small laugh]

Okay, okay. I get the hint.

C'mon.

[it's reluctant, but Akira pulls away, tugging gently on Minato's hands to guide him towards the bed. it is probably time for them to sleep!!]

Sorry...

[ another yawn... now that he's started yawning, he can't stop. ]

I was... enjoying the moment...

[ but he is also unresisting as Akira guides them to his bed.

sleep... definitely beckons. Minato's exhausted, unsurprisingly. ]

[wraps his arms around Minato's back and flops onto the bed with him in tow. WHUMPH]

We can enjoy more of it tomorrow, okay?

[CUDDLE CUDDLE]

[ WHUMPH.

Minato just... yawns.

And nods a little, and curls even closer... and he's out like a light. It's been a long day.

He seems... at peace, though, despite everything that happened that day. ]

[honestly, Akira is the farthest thing from "at peace" with what happened today. . . but it's also currently the furthest thing from his mind as Minato curls up tightly against him. his heart beats in tandem with Minato's, both physically and metaphorically, and somehow. . . that makes everything okay]

[Minato falls asleep first, and Akira tilts his head down to press a kiss against the crown of Minato's head. he stays enveloped in Minato's arms, listening peacefully to the sound of his breathing-- his heartbeat-- as he slowly drifts off himself]

[POST-TRAUMA CUDDLES]

Akira. Do you remember the memory that you showed us during the tarot card task? Minato and I both agreed that you looked really cool. I was hoping to find an excuse to let you show off your skills once again. Shall we try to break into the clocktower sometime?

[wh]

thanks, but you know the last time someone tried to break the clocktower we all almost died, right??

with all due respect, people actually die here, rather horribly, every week or so. to say we almost died feels flimsy by comparison. I could not say that we are being provided any special protection by not doing as we please in between contrived murders.

but, it was only a joke. I do not actually intend for you to break into the clocktower. I was only excited at the idea of you getting to do something cool. I promise to think on it more and provide a more serious suggestion!

[a gentle snort]

touche.

and thank you, i think?? it doesn't feel like it was a very cool memory, just an impactful one for me.

Well, I think that's what made it seem cool too. You were so confident in what you were doing!

[. . . she's making him blush!!]

i just. . . you know. . . was fighting for what i believed in.

wouldn't anyone?

[it is important to share your honest feelings!! she's gotta]

That would be heavily dependent on the circumstances. If there is societal pressure not to, often times people will balk at doing what they want to. Which is to say that I don't know if everyone would. So I find it very worthy of praise.

[. . . mmmmm. . .]

you're not wrong.

. . . thanks.

and for what it's worth, i'm not opposed to breaking into the clock tower in a much more subtle, less violent way

Oh? That just means that I need to devise a way to sneak in less violently.

But, I will have to think on it more. Breaking and entering isn't my specialty, after all. It would be worth it to satiate my curiosity and see you shine in person.

i'd say it's mine, but generally i'm not being stopped by an obnoxious power-that-is that can do anything it wants with us at any given time.

Aren't you giving her too much credit? It seems as if she's restricted by some rules. Otherwise she would do as she pleased far more often. I would wager she has at least some constraints, same as us.

I am also not good at finding loopholes, unfortunately. But I can work on that too.

that's not the feeling i get from her, but maybe i'm just bitter.

[FOR. . . GOOD REASONS]

they do say two brains are better than one. maybe we should try brainstorming over some coffee?

You've had some different experiences with her, haven't you? So it makes sense that you would feel that way. Those kind of perspectives are important to take into consideration too.

As for coffee, I would be delighted to! When are you free?

riiiiight now?

If you have this much free time then I can only oblige. Are you in the dorm, or shall I meet you in the diner?

i'm in the dorm, so we could use this really nice entertainment area we asked for to chill

The entertainment room can be used for plotting mischievous deeds! I will make a note of that.

I will also be right there.

[it does take a few minutes for her to make it back to the dorm, but once she's there she peeks into the entertainment room]

we can rename it the PLOTTING ROOM

[is the last text she gets before she peeks into the entertainment room. and lo and behold!! Akira is there! and he has already made them both some coffee]

[then there is nothing stopping her from gliding over to take her cup, inhaling the scent]

You really have a way of making people feel at home. Maybe we need to turn our entertainment plotting room into a cafe as well.

I need you. Right now. Truly, madly, deeply.

[. . . UUUUUUH]

[hm]

[hm!!!]

sorry wrong number

This boyfriend-relevant gift is going to go to waste, then. What a pity.

[. . . . . . . .]

okay, i'll bite, but i feel like it might be a mistake.

Meet me in the lobby, then.

hm

[THAT'S THE ONLY REPLY SHE GETS. . . but as promised, he'll wait for her in the lobby! he's changed out of the wedding dress and into a nice leather jacket outfit, hands resting in his pockets. he looks pretty chill for being so wary]

Perfect. [ She's walking towards him, carrying a wrapped square. ]

Here you are!

[ It's a painting of Minato. He looks soulful. She made him pose. ]

[. . . . . .]

It's. . . . .

Beautiful.

[he's trying not to laugh]

Yes, it is, isn't it? It's all yours. If you sell it, I'll know.

Why would I ever wish to part with such a stunning masterpiece? Even if someone offered me a billion yen, I would never.

Don't forget to hang it over your bed so he can watch over the two of you while you consummate your love.

It's time for me to leave now, goodbye.

[TURNS AROUND TO WALK AWAY. without taking the painting]

Take it with you!!

[WALKS FASTER. . . LIKE HE DIDN'T HEAR HER]

[ gently picks up her painting.

SPRINTS AFTER HIM. ]

[see he would have just taken the painting had she not been so DA VINCI about it]

[and now he's picking up the pace to run from her in hopes that he can hide]

[HE FEELS SO BULLIED HERE!!]

[ this is his own fault :) for lying from the start :) unlike Minato

by which I mean she's only speeding up. ]

[IS SHE STILL MAD ABOUT THE POOL HALL INCIDENT!!!]

Da Vinciiiii. . . ! It really is a wonderful painting, but now it's weird for me to take it because you made it weird!!

You don't have to hang it in your room! But consider how insulting it is to a genius artist and inventor that you're ditching it!!

Edited (grammar) 2022-07-26 01:25 (UTC)

That one is your fault!!

[POOR DA VINCI. HE'S SO RUDE]

[ She stops running. Looks very sadly at the painting.

Props it against the closest wall.

And leaves. ]

[oh my god now he feels awful--]

-- w-wait, Da Vinci!!

[g-going after her, scooping up the painting on his way]

[ GOODBYE YOU LITTLE SHIT ]

[NO STOP COME BACK!!!]

[if she really does escape he's going to come find her later!! . . . and he will take the painting home and prop it up on a display in his bedroom, tho just not like, right over his bed like she suggested]

Hey. Minato sent me to interrogate you.

Could also use you for a couple other things while we're here, so let's get through this quick.

[. . . . . . . . . H M]

you'll never take me alive officer

I'm not taking you anywhere!

Just for that, the couple I'm complaining about to Echidna is YOU.

Minato needs a more cooperative boyfriend to interrogate. Get on that. Okay, next.

First question, who else do you know is dating in this prison?

oh no. i'm about to be complained about. whatever will i do.

and yeah, i know a few people who are dating. why? are you a gossip?

That was the complaining. You're Echidna, so you can do double duty on hearing the complaining and being the one complained about.

I'm asking to win. I have "make a love chart" on my bingo card.

that was a weak complaint. can't you do any better than that??

well first off

wei wuxian and lan wangji on basilisk are a thing

[is he stirring up shit. yeh maybe]

You're also annoying. Do you feel more complained about yet?

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, huh? That one's new to me. I've got barely any data on Basilisk. Endorsi and Malleus are the only ones I have on here so far.

a little. but i still think you can ramp it up a bit. you're holding back!!

what about echidna? i don't know EVERYTHING about my team's love life but i'm pretty sure kim dokja and han suyeong are a thing in some manner?

Already know Han Suyeong and Kim Dokja. She's also got a thing with Yu Junghyeok on her team.

Kleken is dating Saturn on Cerberus. Rean is in solitary now, but used to have something with Crow on Sphinx. I know Jiang Yanli had some cringe husband.

Also, you're a persistent prick whose boyfriend has no standards. I know this because he agreed to be friends with me, and I think HE actually means it a little.

oh he absolutely means it. he's cute, isn't he?? very sincere.

vicious on bugbear is also dating (??) saturn on cerberus. or at the very least, they make out.

vicious used to have a thing with roy on bugbear before he was put in solitary, too.

Vicious and Saturn are "dating" in my data. Vicious is "with" Moon too. Didn't know about this Roy guy though.

Also no, I absolutely do not cosign any statements that he's cute, DO NOT interpret anything I say as agreement.

But he gave me a lot of this data so I can't even argue with him being a pushover like this. Not gonna dispute a beneficial arrangement.

oh right, i can't forget that geto on echidna and gojo on cerberus have requited FEELINGS for each other but are both very stupid about it. put that on your chart, too.

and he is cute. i'm going to gush about how cute he is to you. you can complain about that, too.

YES! THANK YOU!! I'VE BEEN ASKING EVERYONE ABOUT SATORU AFTER YOUR STUPID BOYFRIEND TRAILED OFF CRYPTICALLY!!!

I still absolutely hate you even considering talking to me about how cute anyone is but you won back some points.

[holy shit]

i'm so honored to provide. you're welcome and also do i get a reward???

Wait, did I promise rewards to anyone?

no, but i deserve one for providing top secret information

I'll think about it if you have an idea.

top secret information of your own, if you have any?

Do you care about Sholmes on Phoenix?

uh.

yes? i mean, i've only talked to him once, but i generally always care about someone's wellbeing??

I was wondering if digging up dirt on him would be OK top secret information.

. . . you know what? sure

gimme the deets

Great. I'll look through his files and get back to you on that.

[Then, because this is a text conversation... No matter what Akira might send back, if anything, Stoat does not respond for about 3 days. They are all the way in the inner prison on Day 57 before Stoat sends a text back.]

Whoops. I was kinda busy winning, and being dragged into the beta version of this place and all.

And Sholmes didn't actually have anything that interesting on his phone. Isn't this guy too technologically illiterate to understand privacy measures? What is he even doing? I thought he'd have tons of data lying around.

But guess what? I was checking up on his phone again today, and he just got dumped by Da Vinci, after all the trouble they went to insisting they weren't a thing. That's breaking news for you. I dunno if Sholmes even read the text yet.

Hahaha! At least he's got Juzo around, so hopefully he doesn't whine too much.

Also, last night Phoenix got sucked into some kind of... foggy monster hell dimension until we got eaten by a spirit and came back.

You guys really gotta clean up around here. That's your job, right?

[Guess who is back and wants to complain to his teenager friend.]

Do they usually wait a few days to toss you back in with a different outfit and should I be expecting this on a weekly basis?

[For the record, this is how he manages to control his emotions, by being angry at the whole situation.]

[oh my god??]

zenkichi!!

what do you mean by different outfit??

[He's so angry! And kinda hungry. Hangry?]

That's me, yeah.

Well it's still a prisoner's outfit, but the color is different.

[H's been given the old team shuffle uffle.]

[. . . oh no. . .]

what color? i can't say this sort of thing is. . . uh. unheard of, unfortunately.

[Reverie Inbox]

text

IS THIS DAY FIVE

YES ABSOLUTELY

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