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[ 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 :(]

[ Honestly, Minato would follow Akira anywhere at this point. The hot shower together has been amazing, but so long as he gets to stay close to Akira right now? It's fine if they need to get out.

So Minato just nods against Akira's chest sleepily, and finally shifts to stand up properly on his own two feet so Akira can move. ]

[. . . it's a bit reluctant, but Akira draws away as well, hands sliding across Minato's arms until they reach his hands, where he grasps the other wild card's fingers with gentle firmness]

C'mon.

[time to shut off the water and step out of the shower and onto the rug. the rush of cold air from the room certainly isn't going to be pleasant]

[ ugh yeah the cold air is awful, and Minato wrinkles his nose and grumbles, completely childish and still half-asleep. But even so, he steps out.

He'd like to fumble around for a towel, but Akira has both of his hands, so instead he's just kind of blearily opening his eyes properly to look around for one instead.

Letting go of Akira's hands isn't an option, obviously. ]

[oh my god. obviously!! it's fine Akira drops one of Minato's hands to reach for a towel, which he immediately drops onto Minato's head]

Bundle up or you'll freeze in the winter cold, Minato.

[he knows about Minato's intolerance for cold!!]

[ Akira is such a good boyfriend. Minato just nods vaguely, finally letting Akira's other hand go to reach for the towel to start ruffling at his own hair with a yawn. ]

'm gonna fall asleep right here...

[ no, Minato. ]

. . .

You're gonna make me carry you??

Yeah.

[ just

so blandly and immediately.

He's swaying in place as he dries himself off. ]

[also grabbing a towel to start drying himself off. yes he needs to be dry, too]

Well, I hope you enjoy sleeping on the bathroom floor.

[A JOKE HE'D NEVER ACTUALLY MAKE MINATO DO THAT]

[ JOKE OR NOT Minato just responds with a slurred: ]

Kaaaaaay...

[ he's tilting towards the ground. ]

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