[ And when Akira pulls away, Minato starts to do the same, slowly stripping down. He's moving stiffly, but not because of injury; Akira saw to that. Instead, it's just exhaustion, pure and simple.
But! Eventually he ends up stripped down, and his clothes are left in a pile of dust and dirt and elevator debris. ]
[AND BLOOD. . . DON'T FORGET BLOOD! the blood is the main reason Akira suggested a shower ngl. anyway, once they are both stripped down, Akira takes Minato's hand in his own and tugs him gently into the shower, where hot water washes over them both, rinsing away the grime of the day]
[. . . along with the remaining vestiges of Akira's stress]
[ Yeah, this... is exactly what Minato wanted. What he needed, not that he realized it until just this moment. But Akira tugs him gently into that shower, and Minato just gently leans against Akira, breathing out a slow, deep sigh as the water starts to wash away the grime that coats both of them.
This... is divine. Slowly but surely, each and every shred of tension in Minato's body starts to fade away, leaving him limp and content against Akira. ]
[for the first few moments, Akira just stands there as well, arms loosely hanging around Minato's waist as he too revels in the feeling of warmth that coats them both. with a content sigh, he rests his forehead against Minato's, eyes fluttering shut]
[. . . unfortunately, it will take more than just water to clean off the blood that had soaked through Minato's clothing to stick to his skin. so after a couple of minutes, Akira shifts to reach for the soap]
[under normal circumstances it might be difficult for Akira to keep those hands innocent, but. . .! nothing could be further from his mind at the moment as he runs his palms across splotches of dried blood, erasing the evidence of the game away with each swipe of his fingers]
[. . .]
[his expression sobers a bit as he does so, hand coming to rest on Minato's chest, right over his heart]
[ ... Minato's gaze falls, but there's something painfully honest and raw about how he responds, for once, instead of simply trying to smooth it over. ]
... If I'm able to, of course I'll always come home to you.
He's quiet for a moment, and there's nothing but the sound of their breathing and the shower water. And then, softly: ]
I believe if anyone can do it... it would be you, Akira.
[ but he's not sure that he's ready to believe he could leave his post that easily. He's not sure his heart is ready for that sort of hope to catch hold too fiercely. ]
[. . . Akira lets out a small breath, hands drawing up to frame Minato's face. he pulls the other wild card's head forward slightly so he can press a kiss against Minato's forehead]
[ ....... quietly, Minato sighs, even as his eyes slide shut. ]
I'm sorry.
[ he knows... that that's not what Akira wants to hear. He knows that's hard on Akira, when there's already so many worries and heavy weights on his shoulder.
[ Akira may be half-teasing, but Minato perks up a little bit despite himself, slowly coming back to life a little bit between the shower and Akira's presence and the offer. ]
... Is that okay...? A cup of your coffee sounds really nice right now, to be honest.
[he wouldn't offer otherwise!! also he finally drops his hands from Minato's cheeks, carding his fingers through damp blue locks to wash out some of the shampoo underneath the spray of water]
I'll make you some when we're finished cleaning you up.
[ ... and quietly, Minato breathes out a breath and nods, the final remnants of the tension from the day slowly easing from his shoulders. He tilts his head into Akira's touch quietly, eyes sliding shut as he basks in that and the steam and the hot water. ]
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But! Eventually he ends up stripped down, and his clothes are left in a pile of dust and dirt and elevator debris. ]
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[. . . along with the remaining vestiges of Akira's stress]
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This... is divine. Slowly but surely, each and every shred of tension in Minato's body starts to fade away, leaving him limp and content against Akira. ]
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[. . . unfortunately, it will take more than just water to clean off the blood that had soaked through Minato's clothing to stick to his skin. so after a couple of minutes, Akira shifts to reach for the soap]
You're a mess.
[RUDE, AKIRA]
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So he huffs out a faint laugh at that, and when Akira shifts, Minato shifts as well, but this time to rest his chin on Akira's shoulder. ]
Oh yeah...? You should do something about that, then.
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[nevertheless, Akira just laughs, hands splayed across Minato's back so he can at least lather up a few suds]
I was going to, but. . .
[. . . distracting!!]
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Do I need to stand up straight...?
[ reluctant... ]
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Juuuust a little bit. And only for a minute or two; promise.
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Kaaaaay...
[ and obediently, he straightens up to stand on his own. ]
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[clean!! it is time for clean!!]
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Minato splutters a little bit when all of the soap is dumped on him, but he stays still for Akira cleansing.
Honestly... it's really nice to have Akira's hands on him like this, intimately but innocently. ]
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[. . .]
[his expression sobers a bit as he does so, hand coming to rest on Minato's chest, right over his heart]
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Minato's quiet for a long moment, shoulders slumped. And then... he reaches out to brush his fingers against Akira's cheek fondly. ]
... No matter what... for so long as we're both here...
I'll always come back to you.
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[tilts his head into that cheek, fingers curling against Minato's skin]
Not just while we're here.
Right?
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... If I'm able to, of course I'll always come home to you.
[ if... he's able to. ]
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[it doesn't sting-- not like it has in the past, because that's the response Akira expected. but even so. . . his expression falls a bit]
Do you still not believe me?
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He's quiet for a moment, and there's nothing but the sound of their breathing and the shower water. And then, softly: ]
I believe if anyone can do it... it would be you, Akira.
[ but he's not sure that he's ready to believe he could leave his post that easily. He's not sure his heart is ready for that sort of hope to catch hold too fiercely. ]
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[. . .]
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I'm sorry.
[ he knows... that that's not what Akira wants to hear. He knows that's hard on Akira, when there's already so many worries and heavy weights on his shoulder.
And he feels bad that that's the best he has. ]
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Don't.
[lips still pressed to Minato's head, his grip on those cheeks tightens ever so slightly]
. . . how are you feeling?
[what a clever subject change]
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I'm... tired, I guess.
[ he's feeling a lot of things, but exhaustion is as the forefront now. ]
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Need a cup of coffee?
[half-teasing, half-sincere]
Those do wonders for restoring your MP.
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... Is that okay...? A cup of your coffee sounds really nice right now, to be honest.
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[he wouldn't offer otherwise!! also he finally drops his hands from Minato's cheeks, carding his fingers through damp blue locks to wash out some of the shampoo underneath the spray of water]
I'll make you some when we're finished cleaning you up.
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... Thanks, Akira. I really, really love you.
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