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[survivaltricks]

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day 19, takes residence in akira's inbox

[messianic]

[ 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?

1/????

[survivaltricks]

[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]

[survivaltricks]

[whirls around to face Minato, hands curved around his mug, expression loose]

[. . .]

[survivaltricks]

[. . .]

[. . . . . . . . . .]

[survivaltricks]

[oh my god it's the senpai he literally just had a sex dream about]

[survivaltricks]

[HE HAD A SEX DREAM ABOUT MINATO]

[A SEX DREAM]

[SEX DREAM]

[S E X D R E A M]

DONE

[survivaltricks]

[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?

[messianic]

[ ... 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?

[survivaltricks]

[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.

[messianic]

[ ... 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. ]

[survivaltricks]

[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]

[messianic]

[ 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.

[survivaltricks]

[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.

[messianic]

[ .............. 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?

1/2

[survivaltricks]

[wait fuck does Minato know about the dream]

[survivaltricks]

[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?

1/2

[messianic]

[ ... 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. ]

2/2

[messianic]

[ ... 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.

[survivaltricks]

[









]

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]

[messianic]

[ 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.

[survivaltricks]

[. . . 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?

[messianic]

[ 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.

[survivaltricks]

[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.

[messianic]

[ 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.

[survivaltricks]

[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.