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[survivaltricks]

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[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?

[survivaltricks]

[a rueful smile]

Not entirely.

But. . . the doors opened.

[the cell doors, he means]

[messianic]

[ 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?

[survivaltricks]

[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.

[messianic]

I see...

[ ... A deep breath in, and he lets it out again. ]

You're... really impressive, you know that?

[survivaltricks]

[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]

[messianic]

That's because you're bad at taking compliments.

[ HE KNOWS. ]

[survivaltricks]

[WOW]

He just comes out and says it. . .

[messianic]

You'll have to prove me wrong if you want to argue it.

[survivaltricks]

[holds his hand out to Minato!!]

Nah. Sounds like too much effort.

Should we head to the pool hall?

[messianic]

[ 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. ]

[survivaltricks]

[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]