[ ... it's a hefty choice to make. If Minato went back to his own time, with the miracle that they could now make happen... then he could grow up with his friends. He could see his Social Links again.
Maybe his death could be ruled as a... a fluke, or something like that?
But at the same time, he thinks--maybe that's selfish. He died. He made that choice. Akira's here now, and he knows that his friends are still alive and fighting to make each and every day better in the lives they have now. He doesn't want to derail that by showing up suddenly after he died.
... Minato drags in a shaky breath.
At the same time--there's Akira. He loves Akira. He could stay with him, and they could grow up together. There's no way he can ask Akira to wait seven years for him. It'd never work out that way.
And this is the start of a new Journey. Just as this place gave him the Fool... he has to embrace that he's beginning a new path, not falling back to his old one.
So, shakily... Minato drags in that breath, and then a second... and then he dips his head. ]
... Yes. I will.
I'm... ready to start a new life, I think.
[ he's ready to finally really accept that he can live again. ]
[and at the end of that shaky breath, that purposeful pause, that contemplative internal narrative. . . Akira lets out an exhale he hadn't realized he was holding, relief settling warmly on his shoulders]
[it's true, that Minato had told him he was ready to look forward to a new future. and it's true, that Akira had asked that question somewhat expecting an affirmative response. but. . . there was a part of him. . . that wondered if Minato really wanted to return to a time that wasn't his own. that perhaps Minato would prefer to go back to the year of his death, to reconnect with his team, to pick up where he left off. something Akira wouldn't have blamed him for. . . nor argued against]
[so to hear that Minato is ready and willing to start over-- with Akira, of all people-- has his heart soaring]
Minato. . .
[and his smile widens, shining brilliantly like the stars in the sky]
. . . I'd-- like that. I'd like that a lot. You'd-- you'd totally fit right in. You can stay with me-- [HAVE YOU ASKED YOUR PARENTS ABOUT THAT, AKIRA] -- and go to my school, and--
[ It's worth it. In every way, shape and form, it's worth it. Seeing that expression on Akira's face, hearing his excitement and exuberance, and being able to think of that future that Akira can so easily envision for them...
It was a hefty choice, but that's all it takes to get Minato to smile again, expression and shoulders both settling as he does. It's calming, now that the choice has been made, and he thinks--that means it was the right one.
So instead of responding, Minato just takes both of Akira's cheeks in his hands, leans in, and presses their lips together firmly. ]
[-- well. that cuts him off rather quickly, and it takes but an instant for Akira to melt into that kiss. a content hum escapes his lips, eyes fluttering, fingers burying themselves into blue locks. . .]
[okay. maybe he was getting ahead of himself. for now, isn't this enough. . .? for now. . . can't they just enjoy this moment?]
[ they absolutely can just enjoy this moment. For now, what Minato knows for sure is that he has a future ahead of him, a future where he can breathe and feel his heart beat and exist and grow, and he wants to be by Akira's side for all of it.
The rest, he's sure, will fall into place.
Just as things fell into place here.
So he's content to linger in that kiss, and when he finally pulls back... it's just to press their foreheads together, even as he laughs softly. ]
[Akira isn't quite ready to draw back from the kiss, but. . . he can do so with the knowledge that he'll have plenty of them in the days, months, years to come. . . right? he cracks his eyes open again to meet Minato's gaze with his own, fingers carding through the other wild card's hair gently]
Yeah. Me too.
[happier than he thinks. . . he has ever been, honestly]
[but there's more to this, isn't there?]
I figure. . . you know. Just asking you to come with me isn't enough. So I also thought--
[and with that, he stands up straight, dips one hand into his pocket, and pulls out. . . a Universe card!]
[a deep breath in, a slow exhale out. . . and he presses the card against Minato's chest, directly over his heart. the motion is more symbolic than anything else, but it feels. . . right, as he utters the words--]
I wish to change the hearts of humanity, so they stop crying out to Nyx, wishing for death.
. . . so that there is no more need for Arisato Minato's soul to act as the seal between humanity and its harbinger of the end.
[ there isn't anything groundbreaking. The sky doesn't open up, the world doesn't shake. But the card does disappear in a shower of light that glitters, and a moment later, Minato feels... something.
It'd be hard to describe in words, but slowly, he lifts his hand and curls it over Akira's over his heart, eyes widening at Akira.
Like for the first time in a very long time... his soul is where it belongs. ]
[it's hard for Akira to conceptualize what the difference might be, since he isn't the one who gave up his soul to seal away a bloodthirsty god. . . but Minato sounds so sure, so uncertainly hopeful, that he has no choice but to believe it, right?]
Minato is scooped up so suddenly he can only blink, startled--but then he wraps his arms around Akira in response as he's spun around, and it startles a laugh out of him in response. ]
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survivaltricks) wrote2021-09-17 11:25 pm
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Nevermind. I didn't want to spend all our time talking about Fran, anyway.
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[ IT'S IMPORTANT, OKAY. ]
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[just to ease Minato's fears!!]
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[ POUTS. ]
I'm just the right amount of concerned given the situation, and that it's about you and your possession--
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Shhhh. No more Fran.
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Okay... okay... I get it....
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. . . besides, there's something I want to ask you.
[though he doubts it'll be a surprise at this point]
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Though he'll give Akira the space to ask it. ]
Okay. What is it?
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Will you come home with me? Back to my time-- to. . . your future?
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Maybe his death could be ruled as a... a fluke, or something like that?
But at the same time, he thinks--maybe that's selfish. He died. He made that choice. Akira's here now, and he knows that his friends are still alive and fighting to make each and every day better in the lives they have now. He doesn't want to derail that by showing up suddenly after he died.
... Minato drags in a shaky breath.
At the same time--there's Akira. He loves Akira. He could stay with him, and they could grow up together. There's no way he can ask Akira to wait seven years for him. It'd never work out that way.
And this is the start of a new Journey. Just as this place gave him the Fool... he has to embrace that he's beginning a new path, not falling back to his old one.
So, shakily... Minato drags in that breath, and then a second... and then he dips his head. ]
... Yes. I will.
I'm... ready to start a new life, I think.
[ he's ready to finally really accept that he can live again. ]
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[it's true, that Minato had told him he was ready to look forward to a new future. and it's true, that Akira had asked that question somewhat expecting an affirmative response. but. . . there was a part of him. . . that wondered if Minato really wanted to return to a time that wasn't his own. that perhaps Minato would prefer to go back to the year of his death, to reconnect with his team, to pick up where he left off. something Akira wouldn't have blamed him for. . . nor argued against]
[so to hear that Minato is ready and willing to start over-- with Akira, of all people-- has his heart soaring]
Minato. . .
[and his smile widens, shining brilliantly like the stars in the sky]
. . . I'd-- like that. I'd like that a lot. You'd-- you'd totally fit right in. You can stay with me-- [HAVE YOU ASKED YOUR PARENTS ABOUT THAT, AKIRA] -- and go to my school, and--
[okay now he's getting ahead of himself]
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It was a hefty choice, but that's all it takes to get Minato to smile again, expression and shoulders both settling as he does. It's calming, now that the choice has been made, and he thinks--that means it was the right one.
So instead of responding, Minato just takes both of Akira's cheeks in his hands, leans in, and presses their lips together firmly. ]
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[okay. maybe he was getting ahead of himself. for now, isn't this enough. . .? for now. . . can't they just enjoy this moment?]
[the logistics of everything can wait, right?]
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The rest, he's sure, will fall into place.
Just as things fell into place here.
So he's content to linger in that kiss, and when he finally pulls back... it's just to press their foreheads together, even as he laughs softly. ]
... I'm really happy.
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Yeah. Me too.
[happier than he thinks. . . he has ever been, honestly]
[but there's more to this, isn't there?]
I figure. . . you know. Just asking you to come with me isn't enough. So I also thought--
[and with that, he stands up straight, dips one hand into his pocket, and pulls out. . . a Universe card!]
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Quietly, he drags in a breath, tilting his head into Akira's touch. ]
... Just like you promised... you found a way to save me after all. Without putting the world in danger.
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I don't think I "found" it as much as it fell into my lap. I didn't think these wishes would actually work. Part of me still doesn't think it will.
[he holds the card up though, examining it underneath the light of the morning sun]
But. . . well.
It's worth a try, right?
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... It is.
I believe in miracles, Akira.
I believe in our future together, too. So let's... give it a try.
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I wish to change the hearts of humanity, so they stop crying out to Nyx, wishing for death.
. . . so that there is no more need for Arisato Minato's soul to act as the seal between humanity and its harbinger of the end.
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It'd be hard to describe in words, but slowly, he lifts his hand and curls it over Akira's over his heart, eyes widening at Akira.
Like for the first time in a very long time... his soul is where it belongs. ]
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[Akira isn't sure what he expected, but it certainly wasn't for anything visible to happen. but the recognition on Minato's features speaks volumes]
. . . you can tell?
[did it work??]
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[ Minato's voice is shaky, but it's slowly sinking in as he meets Akira's eyes with his own stunned expression. ]
I feel... I feel different. Like--before...
[ before everything. ]
1/2
[it's hard for Akira to conceptualize what the difference might be, since he isn't the one who gave up his soul to seal away a bloodthirsty god. . . but Minato sounds so sure, so uncertainly hopeful, that he has no choice but to believe it, right?]
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H. . . hah. . .
[in one swooping motion, he gathers Minato into both of his arms, lifts him clear off of the ground, and just-- swings him around. AS ONE DOES]
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adorable.
Minato is scooped up so suddenly he can only blink, startled--but then he wraps his arms around Akira in response as he's spun around, and it startles a laugh out of him in response. ]
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