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[survivaltricks]

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post-game, day 50

[messianic]

[ So.

It's pretty late by this point. Minato had to check in on Phoenix and Basilisk, had to talk to everyone on Cerberus, had to have brief dozing sessions on Unisonya and with Ritsuka, but eventually...

He shoots Akira a text. ]

On my way back. Let me in...? （ 人･ω･)

[ ... he can be found outside the door, leaning against the wall. He's... he's really tired, and he's slowly sliding down the wall, bit by bit, as he loses the fight against gravity.

At least he's properly cleaned up and totally blood free now. ]

[survivaltricks]

[it's okay, Akira had some quality Echidna time while Minato was gone mostly in an attempt to distract himself from??? you-know-what?? so he doesn't rush the other wild card to return home until he's good and ready, though he does perk up pretty happily when the text arrives]

be right there

[. . . and of course when he eventually opens Echidna's front door, Minato is already half asleep]

. . .

That looks very uncomfortable.

[messianic]

[ ... ... .......

Minato straightens abruptly, a little disheveled from his slow slide down the wall. ]

I'm--very awake. Still...!

[survivaltricks]

[laughs, a genuine noise that sounds like chimes in the wind, despite the horrors of the past like. . . day or so]

[extends a hand towards Minato]

Mmmhm. Sure you are. I believe you.

[messianic]

... Good. You should.

[ it's just a mutter, though, fake-ly petulant, before Minato reaches out to take that hand, biting back another yawn. ]

Anyway... I'm back. How were things while I was gone?

[survivaltricks]

[curls his fingers around Minato's, grip warm]

I was a real bully while you were gone. You totally missed it.

[messianic]

[ squeezing Akira's hand gently and contentedly. ]

Oh yeah? I'd like to hear about that, I think.

[survivaltricks]

[HIS EYES SPARKLE WITH MISCHIEF]

I said nice things about Echidna.







To their faces.

[fiend!1]

[messianic]

[ omg. Minato laughs a tired but sincerely amused, huffed out laugh at that. ]

No, you didn't. That's so cruel. So vicious. So rude. Etcetera, etcetera.

[survivaltricks]

I know. I'm a real scoundrel.

[gives Minato's hand a tiny little squeeze]

Did I tell you. . . I've been getting my memories back of them, bit by bit.

I think I have them all now.

[messianic]

[ ... !!! ]

Really?

[ This is the best news Minato's gotten in awhile, honestly. ]

That's great, Akira...! I'm so happy for you.

[survivaltricks]

[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]

[messianic]

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. ]

[survivaltricks]

[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.

[messianic]

[ 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...

[survivaltricks]

[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.

[messianic]

[ 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!! ]

[survivaltricks]

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?

[messianic]

[ 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-- ]

[survivaltricks]

[MINATO!!!]

You should let them make amends. Even if it's something small, it'll make you all feel better.

[messianic]

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. ]

[survivaltricks]

[a pause]

[. . . flicks Minato's forehead (GENTLY)]

It's okay to be a little selfish sometimes.

[messianic]

[ 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.

[survivaltricks]

[AKIRA DOUBTS THAT HE DOES. . . but it's okay it's a work in progress]

[gently]

What would make you feel better, then?

[messianic]

[ 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.