survivaltricks | [Reverie Inbox]

[ ... !!! ]

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-- ]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject