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[survivaltricks]

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[messianic]

[ 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.

[survivaltricks]

[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?

[messianic]

[ 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.

[survivaltricks]

[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]

[messianic]

[ ... 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.

[survivaltricks]

[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]

[messianic]

[ 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.

[survivaltricks]

[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?

[messianic]

[ 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.

[survivaltricks]

[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?

[messianic]

[ 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.

[survivaltricks]

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.

[messianic]

[ Akira... is cute. ]

... Right. Definitely.

[ Ha. ]

You know, Akira... you're pretty spectacular.

[survivaltricks]

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.

[messianic]

[ His lips twitch a bit. ]

You want me to not think of my to-be-savior as amazing? That sounds impossible to me.

[survivaltricks]

[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.

[messianic]

[ 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.

[survivaltricks]

[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. . .

[messianic]

[ 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. ]

[survivaltricks]

Oh-- yeah. I. . . uh. Yeah.

[dips his hands into his pockets and gives a little shrug]

Just. . . [mmm] Take care of yourself, okay?

[messianic]

... Yeah. I'll do my best, thanks.

You do the same, okay?

[survivaltricks]

[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.

[messianic]

[ 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.

1/2

[survivaltricks]

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[survivaltricks]

[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.