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[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]

You're a mess.

[RUDE, AKIRA]

[ The shower, the steam, Akira's closeness... it seems it's all been more than enough to soothe Minato's tenseness and general terseness from before.

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.

[you know. this is nice and cute and Akira is enjoying the quiet intimacy, but. it's very difficult to use soap like this!!]

[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!!]

[ Minato is slow to stir, and slow to piece that together, but eventually... he straightens a little with a faint sigh. ]

Do I need to stand up straight...?

[ reluctant... ]

[equally as reluctant]

Juuuust a little bit. And only for a minute or two; promise.

[ ... and after another long beat: ]

Kaaaaay...

[ and obediently, he straightens up to stand on his own. ]

[OH MINATO. . . anyway, once he's standing up, Akira proceeds to dump ALL THE SOAP upon him]

[clean!! it is time for clean!!]

[ TIME FOR CLEAN

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. ]

[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]

[ And Minato's heart beats as steadily as normal under his palm.

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.

. . .

[tilts his head into that cheek, fingers curling against Minato's skin]

Not just while we're here.

Right?

[ ... 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.

[ if... he's able to. ]

[. . . . hah. . .]

[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?

[ .....

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.

And he feels bad that that's the best he has. ]

[quietly, but firmly]

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]

[ ... Minato's shoulders slump a little, but obediently, he doesn't say anything more about it. Instead, quietly, he responds to the subject change. ]

I'm... tired, I guess.

[ he's feeling a lot of things, but exhaustion is as the forefront now. ]

[understandably so; Akira suspects Minato may have pushed himself a little too much in his attempts to help out the injured]

Need a cup of coffee?

[half-teasing, half-sincere]

Those do wonders for restoring your MP.

[ 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.

Of course it's okay.

[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. ]

... Thanks, Akira. I really, really love you.

[even when all the shampoo is washed out, Akira keeps his fingers buried in Minato's hair, moving gently against the other wild card's scalp in a much-needed massage]

Mmm. . . I really love you, too.

[ VERY MUCH-NEEDED, and Minato is absolutely melting underneath Akira's touch, swaying a little until he's practically flopped against his chest. ]

[Minato has been washed down now!! most of the blood has finally been rinsed away, and the water runs off of them both clear and clean instead of tinged with red. and although Akira is very much enjoying this. . .]

You ready to get out now?

[if they stay here too long the water will get cold :(]

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