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I don't know.

[ It's not that he doesn't care, it's just that he doesn't sweat a lot of things. No need to be so flustered or up in arms about something. ]

[He doesn't know? How could he not?

...No. To a degree, Akira understands. Minato may be worse than himself, but Akira understands putting oneself so far down on the list of priorities that you no longer are a priority. He's been there, but this feels different. This is different.

Akira's response comes after a significant delay. He had some calming down to do, yo.]

That's alright. Sorry for getting on your case.

Can we talk? In person.

[That would be easier than doing Whatever The Fuck this is.]

[ Minato doesn't quite understand what's going on. In the time before Akira texts back, he has just been lounging around, not doing much. There's definitely a weird and tense air between the two of them, though he's not sure why. ]

Sure.
When?

[What's going on: someone is having a Moment, and in realizing that, Akira's dialing it back significantly. Only he, the protagonist, is allowed to not care what happens to himself in the name of supporting his friends. What's Minato's excuse??]

ASAP.
If you're free, I'll come to you.

Okay.

[ Unfortunately for Akira, it will be 30 hours before they can speak in-person. While some might become more anxious as time goes by, Minato takes it relatively easy. He's not really concerned about what Akira wants to talk about, so when he sends a text to notify his arrival back, it's casual. He writes the general area that he's in then wait. ]

[ Okay, let's see what was so important for them to meet face-to-face. ]

[Fortunately for Minato, Akira isn't the type to scold. He does take those thirty hours to ask himself why he's so bothered by Minato's willingness to sell himself out for a meal and eventually settles on a half-convincing answer. Akira sees the worst of himself in Minato's lack of consideration for his own wellbeing, and... that's all it is, really. He's positive, and yet it still feels like there's a sizeable chunk of the puzzle missing.

In any case, Akira doesn't let that stop him from meeting up with Minato at their designated meeting place. He's fine, see? He's neatly compartmentalized his feelings and stored them all away. He can't let nebulous feelings cloud his judgment.]

Hey. [Akira extends a cup of coffee to Minato. He made it himself! It's... a peace offering.] I don't know how you like your coffee, so I played it safe and added a little cream and sugar.

[ Akira will find the meeting spot to be the new boathouse. Minato texted him as soon as he arrived and stayed in one spot like a good boy. He's found himself a bollard to sit on and so he waits, hands in pocket. He would put on his earphones and listen to something on his mp3 player, but water + electronics don't mix very well. He's not tech-savvy enough to figure out how to dry them and make them useable again, so they're pretty much accessories at this point. ]

[ When he sees Akira, he doesn't get up from his spot. ]

Hey.

[ Oh, a free drink. Nice. Minato will take one hand out of his pocket to take the cup. He hasn't had coffee in a while and the smell is relaxing. He takes a small sip and pauses for a second to enjoy the taste. Mm, nice. He'll keep the cup close to his mouth so he can drink it whenever he needs to pause. ]

So, what's up?

[So his peace offering was accepted... Good. Akira can't imagine Minato would say no to free coffee given, you know, what he almost sold his ass to pay off. As much as it sucks to see Minato sulk (that's totally how Akira sees this), he's here to dispel the awkward air between them.

He's here to try, at least. Akira leans against the bollard to Minato's side and sips from his own coffee, his sights focused on the horizon. It's easier to talk when they don't have to make consistent eye contact, but even so, Akira's sitting on the side of Minato with less hair in his face.]

I wanted to talk to you about the other day. First things first: I'm sorry for going off on you. In all honesty, I was just concerned.

[ He doesn't move when Akira sits next to him. He glances at him from the corner of his eyes as he stares off at nothing really in particular. He doesn't reply right away, choosing to sip the coffee as an excuse for a pause. Hm, he doesn't know how to feel about this. ]

Mm. Heard that you contacted the rabbit guy to pay for me.

[ Noiz was supposed to meet up with him in his room, but the knock never came. ]

[Akira doesn't hesitate to give Minato an honest answer, though his inflection remains flat, almost monotone, as he speaks. His eyes remain lost somewhere along the horizon, but if he's thinking long and hard about something, it's not apparent in the look on his face.]

That's right. He wanted a fair trade for that meal, so I completed one of his squares.

[And Akira got away with picking an easy one (kissing), but even if his options had been significantly slimmer, he still would've picked off a square in Minato's stead. That said, he doesn't leave room for the obvious question of "why go that far for me" to come up before continuing on. Huh. It's almost like he doesn't really wanna think about it!!]

Your debt's all cleared. No thanks necessary.

[ He glances in Akira's direction as he listens, holding his coffee cup close to his mouth. This is... a really peculiar situation. They've only known each other for a day, give or take a few hours, so what's up with the overprotectiveness? He doesn't really get it. ]

Why?

[Akira would love to answer that question with another, more important question, but now isn't the time. Why Minato seems to care so little about his own wellbeing wasn't a question he could answer easily before, so he doubts that's changed. Now isn't the time to push.

For now, he finally turns to look Minato in the eye. He said he wouldn't scold Minato, and he won't, but Akira delivers his answer firmly. He doesn't want to leave room for doubt even if he's spent the last thirty hours calling his own understanding of "why" into question.]

It bothered me seeing someone give themselves away so easily for nothing. People who truly love themselves don't do that. They won't.

[ Hm... He meets Akira's eyes, but he doesn't have a response right away. That answer only leads to more questions. ]

Do you believe that I don't love myself?

[ Although the question may seem defensive, his tone is neutral. There's no change of expression on his face and he maintains eye contact. This is quite a serious topic to have with someone he's only just met. He's... intrigued. Perhaps even curious, but that's too strong of an emotion. ]

[A little bit of defensiveness would've been warranted, really. Akira had given his answer just as plainly, but there was an assumption being made there, right? Still, he shakes his head and pulls on a thin smile, though it's just a little wry.]

Everyone's different. In my experience, the only people who'd make a trade like that are people with nothing to lose.

[But he doesn't know Minato. He doesn't know if he falls in line with Akira's assumptions or if he simply goes with the flow as effortlessly as water down a slope.

As if to dismiss the suggestion that there may be something ever so off about Minato, Akira shakes his head, making an effort to iron out the concern in his smile. If anything, he looks just a little apologetic.]

I'm sorry for butting into your affairs, Arisato. You just reminded me of an old friend.

[One who is no longer alive, and one who certainly didn't see much value in his own life. This conversation is already A Lot, so Akira leaves that off the table. It's egotistical, but Akira can only wonder if he'd have been able to save Akechi if he'd only met him sooner.]

[ Minato listens attentively, showing a level of attention and awareness that he rarely displays. Since arriving in Erku, he hasn't thought too much about what his actions may imply. It's not that he doesn't care about himself. It's just that he doesn't have any strong feelings to do one thing or another. Even after spending an entire year in Tatsumi Port Island and doing what he did for his friends, ten years of apathy is hard to break from. ]

[ It's only after Akira finishes speaking that Minato breaks eye contact and looks off at nothing again. He takes a long sip from his drink and then just sits for a silent second. ]

... lucky friend.

[ To have someone worry about them so much. He tilts his head slightly so he can look at Akira at an angle. His expression has softened and there are the faintest traces of a smile. Yeah, Minato tried his best to be a good friend, but he knows that in the end that he was still kind of shitty. ]

Thanks for worrying about me.

[ A corner of his lips curve upwards into a melancholic smile. ]

[The subject of that lost friendship is a difficult one to touch on, though perhaps less so in the company of someone he's only just met. Akira has to stay strong in front of his friends — he needs to be their rock, as they've come to expect him to be — but there's no such pretense to keep up here. That makes the burden he's been carrying around a little easier to bear even if it hadn't been fair to project those feelings onto Minato. Still, perhaps doing so was proof that he needed someone, anyone, to express that pain to.

He's the one who should be thanking Minato for putting up with him, really. Akira takes a long sip from his cup and comes away from it smiling. Even if there were any lingering doubts on Akira's mind, he's certain they'd ebb away just as soon as he saw that faint smile on Minato's lips. Seriously, he cute as fuck, but that's beside the point.]

Nah. Thank you for understanding. If you'll have me, I'd like to make this up to you.

[Because he feels bad, of course, but if Minato's going to play bingo with that cursed card, then there are safer ways to go about it. Akira just wants to help (uh-huh)!]

[ He says nothing in response, only nodding at the thanks. It's a little strange, but it's not that big of an inconvenience. Besides, it's not like he didn't benefit from Akira's meddling. He got free food and didn't have to suck dick for it. Nice. ]

[ He perks up when Akira offers to "make this up" to him, but he tries to hide it. Again, it's a half-convincing lie. It's subtle, but he sits up a bit straighter and his eyes look more focused. Although his facial expression is neutral, he gives himself away in other ways. So, what does Akira have to offer? ]

[Now you can suck his dick instead, Minato... Everyone wins.

Akira's not looking to collect on any favors when he does honestly believe he owes Minato for putting up with his meddling, buuut he's also just looking for a good excuse to spend more time in the company of someone who's caught his eye. Can't hurt, right? If nothing else, perhaps they can become friends.

The kind of friends that rub their Maras together all night long. Anyway—]

Excited? [Subtle as it was, Akira caught that little shift in demeanor. So cute.] You should be. What I have to offer is a deal you won't get anywhere else. Act fast, because the Akira Special's flying off the shelves.

[Dramatics aside, Akira makes his suggestion earnestly in the hopes Minato will consider it.]

I'll handle your expenses until you've gotten your lay of the land. I have plenty of credits and nothing to burn them on, so it's the least I can do.

[That won't take long, will it? Minato's a capable guy.]

[ "That won't take long", he says, "Minato's a capable guy". Oh, dear, sweet, and naive Akira. You will learn soon enough how big of a mistake it was to offer that special. ]

[ Minato is a very private person, keeping his emotions inside rather than wearing them on his sleeve, but it's clear as day that he seems very pleased. He sits up completely straight and extends out his legs, stretching without having to actually get up from his seat or take his other hand out of his pocket. ]

I'm not cheap.

[ He lets out a small high-pitched noise that whines in the back of his throat as he stretches out. After a few seconds, he returns to his original position, slouched over and his feet unplanted. He appears much more relaxed, now that they got this discussion out of the way. ]

[Much better. With the air between them cleared, Akira can finally relax a little. Though this slouch of his is very much by design, he's content enough in Minato's company to ease out of it and sit up straight, his smile all the brighter for having come to a resolution they can both agree on.

In truth, he'd be fine if Minato never got his lay of the land, but that goes unsaid. Akira can't resist the urge to get a little greedy with someone as cute as Minato, which will also go unsaid. Minato doesn't need to know how easy this boy is.

Hooking his thumbs into his pockets, Akira rocks up onto his feet.]

I'm aware. I saw how much you can pack in that mouth. [but does the same apply on the other end] Out of curiosity, have you found a place to live yet? I don't know if you noticed, but I live in a big gaudy mansion. I can loan you a room— until you find your own place.

[That last bit is quickly tacked on to the end of his statement. Hmm.]

[ Unless Akira indicates that they are done with this area, Minato will continue to sit against the bollard. He has finished his coffee so he has now decided to hold it with his teeth, doing exactly what he did with the soda can. It's extremely important for him to have both hands in his pockets, so yeah. The cup will flail up and down as he speaks. ]

Mm, I might murder you in your sleep.

[ Minato has reached that level of comfortability around Akira that he can now make shitty jokes. Based on his answer, it may be clear that he absolutely has not found a place to stay and yes, he would like that room. However, it's bold for Akira to just let some rando live with him. What if he was a serial killer??? Huh??? What if??? ]

[Minato, your priorities... Laughter rumbles low in Akira's throat, and he frees up a hand to claim Minato's empty cup. Don't ask me where Akira's went before he put both thumbs in his pockets. Clearly he finished his coffee off and tossed the cup while no one was looking.

Pitching Minato's cup in the nearest waste bin, he offers him a hand. Up and at 'em, lazy. Akira won't be carrying Minato this time, but he doesn't mind lending him his free hand.]

Yeah? Try it. I'll haunt you from beyond the grave for the rest of your life.

[The dead fuck he was talking about before, Minato??? That man was an actual bonafide murderer and Akira still stanned him. He is far from the most pure and wholesome Personatagonist.]

We've got a few empty rooms, so I'm curious which you'll pick. It's on you to decorate, though.

[ The cup is easily given up! And the hand is immediately accepted. It's been months since he last handled a weapon, so his hands have healed. They're no longer covered in cuts or callouses, resulting in smooth and healthy skin. Those few months were nice. He didn't have to fight. He just got to relax. ]

[ He uses much of Akira's weight to pull himself up, doing so in a combination of laziness and slight curiosity. Harry Potter-kun was able to carry him all the way from the beach to his mansion, but how's his grip and stance? Will he tip over in Minato's direction if he pulls too much? Time to find out! ]

Does furniture count as expenses?

[ Because how is he going to decorate if he doesn't have any money, fool. Lucky for Akira, though, Minato doesn't need much. The only decoration that he really had in his own dorm room was a calendar. It's kind of sad tbh ]

[Akira's not going to withdraw his hand before Minato does. He's free to assume Akira's simply being polite, or that he thinks Minato will get lost the moment he lets go of his hand, or a million other things... but if he's being honest (and only to himself)? He enjoys the simple pleasure that is holding another person's hand. It's warm! It's nice!! It's completely platonic!!!

As for whether he'll tip like a cow when Minato puts up a token amount of resistance... no, he won't. He'll unconsciously widen his stance to accommodate and consciously give Minato a look that's some ways between amusement and a challenge. Pull him off his feet if you dare, Minato. You'll be the one shouldering the fall.]

A desk and a bed won't cost you anything. For anything else, you'll need to beg me.

[Is he serious? It's very hard to tell. Anyway, off they go! The mansion isn't much farther from here than it was from where Minato woke up.]

[ Oho, so the pretty boy is strong as well. Minato gives him the beginnings of a smirk before it disappears when he bows his head and gets on his feet. He's not particularly a touchy-feely kind of guy, so unfortunately for Akira, the hand is taken back so it can go into his pocket. Outside of certain circumstances, he generally doesn't like to be touched or vice versa. ]

Then that's all I need.

[ Really, what other furniture does he need when he will only use his bedroom to sleep in? A TV perhaps, but it's useless without anything to actually watch. Maybe if he finds some cheap DVDs. Hm, he'll see. Anyway, he'll tag along to the mansion. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Minato isn't really a conversationist so Akira will either need to keep up the talk or just wait until they get there so he can pick out his room. ]

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