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[survivaltricks]

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[messianic]

[ 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.

[survivaltricks]

[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.

[messianic]

[ 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.

[survivaltricks]

[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?

[messianic]

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.

[survivaltricks]

[. . . 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.

[messianic]

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.

[survivaltricks]

[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.

[messianic]

[ ... Minato blinks, and tilts his head a little at that. ]

... Hm? What do you mean it's not the first?

[survivaltricks]

[-- 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]

[messianic]

[ ... he frowns a tiny but persistent frown.

!!!! ]

You don't want to tell me...?

[survivaltricks]

[khhhhh]

I--

[hrrrrrrrgh]

[. . . sips at his milkshake some more]

. . . I forgot you didn't know.

[messianic]

[ 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.

[survivaltricks]

[. . . . . . . .]

[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.

[messianic]

[ 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?

[survivaltricks]

[nods in response, not saying a single word as he waits to see if Minato can put together the pieces]

[messianic]

... Your Velvet Room... it was a prison?

[survivaltricks]

[there's a pause as Akira slurps at his milkshake again, before he nods, expression stony]

. . . it was.

[messianic]

[ 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?

[survivaltricks]

[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?

[messianic]

[ 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.

[survivaltricks]

[presses a hand against his cheat]

. . . my heart. . .

It was being held captive. A reflection of how trapped I felt.

[messianic]

[ ..... 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... ]

[survivaltricks]

[a quiet nod]

Yes. And some-- other things, but. . . mostly the false charges against me.

[messianic]

[ 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?