Chapter Text
Unrequited love wasn't Junpei's favorite thing. He preferred to admire others from an emotional distance, but now everything's been thrown out of wack. Especially since he's got feelings for Minato, of all goddamn people.
Stupid, stupid, stupid. He curses himself out, tapping mindlessly through his phone. Minato and him have gotten a lot closer, ever since Junpei's gotten over not being the leader. He relies on Minato now; just like the other wanted.
He feels bad looking back on it, reevaluating the others subtle expressions he didn't truly understand at the time. All Minato wanted was to be friends, and Junpei was an asshole. And now he's making things awkward. An awkward, confusing, crush on his friend.
Minato just wouldn't leave him alone. Always checking in after class and after school, making sure he's okay. He hated it. He hated how much he's gotten used to the other shambling over to him - little more than skin and bones now - and waiting for Junpei to speak.
"Man, exams are starting soon. You study for the test?" And he hates how he always does it.
Minato nods and Junpei can see it now: the bags lining their eyes are a little bigger now, they look a little more tired, a little more sickly.
"Aw, c'mon! You've got the fail it with me! Best friend solidarity!" He earns a chuckle for that, and Junpei feels like he was just tossed a treat as a reward.
"Hey, are you sick man? Don't push yourself alright." Minato pauses, and nods again - blank - which doesn't settle well for Junpei. "-I know I sound like a total hypocrite, but I mean it."
He knows Minato isn't going to listen; they probably stopped listening after he mentioned not overworking himself.
"Seriously." Junpei stresses, getting the tiniest bit quieter. Softer. Looking into Minato's eyes, and letting the mask slip a little. Minato blinks in surprise, but says nothing, just nodding and walking off to talk to the others.
He turns back in his seat, flushed pink. That was a little too real for his liking; too serious. He hopes to god Minato doesn't read too far into that look, but by the way the others cheeks are now dusted with red, he thinks they have. Stupid.
Junpei goes back to scrolling through his phone, watching out of the corner of his eye as Minato makes his usual rounds around the room. Listening to what people have to say, and rarely commenting back unless asked directly. Like they do with everyone. That intrusive little thought worms his way into his mind again: Maybe Minato doesn't think of him any differently than anyone else?
He brushes the thought aside, because it's not a bad thing. All Minato's wanted is for the two of them to be friends; like they’re friends with everyone else. He should be thankful to get even that after how much of a dick he's been, right?
Minato stops - having finished their cycle - and turns to move towards the door. Then he pauses. Junpei can feel those pretty blue eyes on him.
Then, they turned on their heels and went upstairs. To their room, like Junpei had suggested.
It was Junpei's turn to look too deeply into things. Smiling to himself as he stared down at his phone, he couldn't stop himself even if he wanted to. Maybe Minato didn't think as poorly of him as he assumed, which meant that they were about as much of an idiot as Junpei was claimed to be.
---
They usually came home around the same time. The boy worked on a strict pattern that Junpei had grown to invite into his own. Cocking his head towards the door when it reached "about that time" to be greeted by the familiar face opening up the door.
Junpei had checked the weather once this morning, and heard Yukari go on about it cancelling practice, but it looked like heavy rainfall was coming in at "about that time." Now, if he was asked, he'd certainly deny that he was thinking about it - after all, why should he worry? Minato can handle themselves and Junpei can handle himself.
Yet, he knows them, doesn't he? Knows them well enough to know that Minato hadn't taken their umbrella, since it currently sits in its usual spot by the door, and knows that they didn't check the weather. He keeps checking the clock, unable to really tell if the rains come except for the brief view he can get from the door's blurry windows. Still, he holds out hope that maybe, they managed to miss it.
When Junpei heard the door creak open he already knew who was home. The sound of rainfall, hard and heavy, against the pavement outside filled the room briefly before it was shut away; Nope. Junpei turned around in his seat at the table, unusual for him, but he had to see the damage.
Yeah, soaked to the bone. Minato's shoulders were hunched up to their ears, shaking ever so slightly, only loosening up like a pulled up nail after pulling their sopping wet jacket off of them. Their hair was wet and plastered against their forehead, dripping like a faucet against their shoulders. It would have been funny if Minato didn't look so sad , their two deep deep blue eyes fully shown and grown wide like a lost animal awash at sea. They looked surprised to see Junpei looking at them, blinking away their confusion as they hang up their coat on the rack.
Junpei opens up his mouth to speak, but his body speaks for him; standing to his feet, and trudging up stairs. He can feel Minato's eyes on him and a momentary pang of something resembling guilt because it definitely looks like he saw them and bolted. Junpei hears the other's tones jump a pitch higher, which means they definitely noticed the sopping wet Minato standing in the doorway. He makes up for that possible misconception by running back up to them - panting like he ran a mile and a half - and piling the practically frozen boy in towels.
Eye to eye, those intense blue eyes stare down at the towels now piled up in their arms with gaped confusion. Minato snorts, it's a quiet noise but Junpei hears it - bucks up at it like a comedian hearing a howling crowd. They make a motion with their hands that Junpei vaguely remembers means 'thank you', which only makes him buck up more.
"Heh, hey-" Junpei strikes a pose unconsciously, while Minato sets about wringing out their hair with the towels. "-don't worry about it! Just whatever I can do to help, you know me, Junpei the hero."
They nod in agreement and it's like a lit match next the low burning kerosene of his confidence. His pose gets more extravagant, he's practically flexing at this point. "You really got the hit by that storm, huh? I saw it on the forecast today, so I hightailed it home pretty quick. Can't risk getting swamped, y'know. Sorry I didn't mention it, left my mind, honestly. I mean, you know I wouldn't want you to get soaked, that'd be a dumb prank. If you'd even call that a prank."
"Ahem," Mitsuru spoke up, making Junpei jump. His vision seemed to zoom out like a scene in a movie, realizing that yes, infact, they had to move out of the way to avoid Junpei's honed in towel delivery. Yukari and Fuuka as well, who were standing off to the sides, clearly cut off from their conversations. Oh.
Minato wasn't phased by this at all, looking up at Junpei with something akin to warmth in their expression. Whatever it was, it made him feel like the most important person in here which is something he's never felt standing next to Mitsuru . He broke eye contact, letting out a tea kettle like screech masquerading as an anxious laugh.
"Sorry, sorry. "-Don't worry about it, Junpei,"
Yukari clamps him hard on the shoulder, making Junpei jump for the second time this evening. It's her grip that tells him she's about to say something he doesn't want said; he knows her well enough to understand that much.
"You've been antsy all afternoon, it's only natural you'd show that spastic energy to poor Minato over here." Yukari's eyes sweep over to them with that look which Junpei can never understand. It's almost as if the pair are communicating through sight alone and forgot to part it to Junpei.
"Hey!" He booms louder than the rain had sounded outside. "I'm just nervous about my friend, Yuka-tan ."
Mitsuru hums beside her; "I'll take your coat, Minato, I can't have it making a mess of the floor. And I'd suggest we all, and Junpei, continue your conversations with you after changing into dry clothes."
"I-" "It's fine, Junpei, really!" Fuuka's soft expression eased the riled feeling in his gullet. They pat his shoulder twice, before walking off to join Mitsuru and Yukari as they trailed up the stairs - Minato's jacket held out in front of Mitsuru as if it was diseased.
Junpei glances back at that jackets owner, who is already starting to follow Mitsuru's instructions to trails behind them, clothes making the most disgusting slopping noise as they make their way towards the stairs. They turn around momentarily on the stairway; Bye. Thank you.
"N-No problem. Anytime!"
--
" 's no problem" Junpei slurred, fixing his baseball cap.
It wasn't a problem, cause Junpei didn't mind. That's what he was; easygoing, unbothered. A façade that slipped upon him joining SEES, where "easygoing" Junpei got his ass handed to him by "asshole" Junpei. Not a good look, a look he was trying to reverse, but he knew better. He wasn't the same him anymore and maybe that's why it was so comforting to him that Minato still looked at him the same way.
Well, Minato looked at everyone the same way - they were impossible to read that way, but Junpei appreciated it. Appreciated that the other didn't hate him enough to stop talking to him after class like this, even if he wished they'd stop running into him so much.
"You should move that bang of yours, so you can see for once. Save both you and me a lot of bruises." Minato face shrunk up like they'd just sucked on a lemon; "-What? It's true."
They make a few quick motions with their hands, which thankfully, all his time spent watching them get into heated debates with Yukari has paid off; I like my hair.
"Wha-It's fine that you like it, dude, nothing wrong with it. And i'm not saying it looks bad either, don't get it twisted! It looks fine, just gotta suck not being able to see, like, half of anything ever." Junpei shrugged, stumbling on his words like he had the whole lemon stuck in his throat.
Minato mimicked that shrug; I'm used to it. Which is very them thing to say, there's very little that they couldn't get used to. The sky could start falling and Minato would just roll with it.
"Ha!" Junpei punctuated his theatrical laugh with an over the top arm sweep, catching them off guard for a moment. "Dude, bro, Minato, we both know you're not used to shit!"
They give a breathy laugh, looking more bemused than the previous deep disgust that permeated their features. What do you mean?
"Uh, ack- W- What do I mean?" Another theatrical arm sweep, punctuated with a faux look of disbelief that made Minato's eyes gleam with that warmth from weeks before. "C'mon, you run into me every few days! Like, almost push me over run into me! And I see you veer off a little into the couch trying to get to walk around the furniture. You even ran smack dab into the doorframe after exams, dude! I was there!"
Minato's hand flies up to their mouth, but Junpei can tell. Can see the way their shoulders shake a little, and their eyes crinkle around the edges. Junpei beams.
"Oooooh" He drawns the syllables out, for even more of that "Junpei flair". "You think this is funny now? You think its funny that you're going to give me welts, arm welts, from running into my arm so much. What're you going to do when it falls off, huh, Minato?"
Their hand is practically hiding their face now, a typical look for Minato whenever they're truly enjoying a joke. Almost as if they're trying to borrow back into themselves, maybe out of embarrassment or joy, it hard to tell, but it's nice. They swat at Junpei's arm, a signal to look at them.
Even if I cut my hair, Minato stresses each word, their expression conveying more sass than words ever could. -I am still going to keep running into you.
Junpei gasps, making them shrink even deeper into the back of their hand with their shoulders shaking. "Why!?"
It's fun. That's all he gets, Junpei watches Minato's hands waiting for them to impart the rest of their thought process to him but no, just that. His mouth is practically hanging open at this point, he's lucky that Yukari had already left or else she'd shut it for him.
"Running into me is fun? Hurting me, every day is fun?" They shake their head, furiously, like a dog after a bath.
I don't want to hurt you. It's just fun. Minato's expression breaks into something happy, grateful, some similar expression that Junpei knows for certain he doesn't get to see from them aimed at him very often. Or maybe he just wasn't paying attention. You're fun.
----
Koromaru was whining pretty bad tonight. Typically someone was always there to take him out, whether it be Akihiko, Aigis, or Minato - Okay, usually Minato. Junpei didn't really feel the need to worry about it, because, well, they've got it. Though, tonight seems like a long one for them, which meant Junpei was going to have to be the one to foot the bill.
Exam season was coming up and Fuuka had their head too close to their computer screen to even acknowledge the outside world. Leaving him, and with the way Koromaru was staring up at him he knew that too. He gave a deep sigh, pulling the brim of his cap over his eyes to avoid staring at the heart breaking look the dog was giving him. Manipulative little pup.
"C'mon, Koromaru" He stood up to the sound of the Shiba Inu's rumbling yips in approval, dancing around Junpei excitedly. "Shh, I hear you, I hear you."
Junpei bends down, clipping on Koromaru's leash after a little bit of struggle to get the clip to work. A brief "a-ha!" is gobbled up by the sound of the door opening. He jumps to his feet immediately, Koromaru staring up at him in confusion as he swivels his head over to look at the boy walking through the door.
"Hey, Minato!" The boy in question squints, eyes adjusting to the light, before waving to Junpei. "I was just about to take Koromaru out for a walk."
This makes Minato's eyes widen, before closing his eyes tight in a expression of 'shit, right'. Sorry. I forgot.
"It's fine, I guessed so. Not like you to be out all night unless there's a good reason." Junpei shrugged, crossing the space and standing in front of Minato. Who seems to almost be frozen in place at the door. "You wanna come or...?"
It's only fair. They nod quickly, as if their body was working on autopilot for that response. Junpei huffs; "I swear, you've got more of a sense of honor than Akihiko sometimes."
This makes them soften, broken from the intense rigor they just had, as Junpei opens the door for them. The cool air wafting in makes him shiver, but he keeps his smile firm and his large gesture firmer. "After you."
Minato eyes him up and down for a moment, barely containing the smirk breaking its way through the corners of their lips, before rolling their eyes and walking out the door. He follows suit, Koromaru pulling on the leash as he bounds in front of them both.
"Fuck, it's cold" Junpei hisses, now fully engulfed in the cold. They give him a blank look and an even more blank response; Go get your coat.
"Nah, nah," He waves it off, "I can handle it."
Minato clicks their tongue at him, swatting their arm again to get their attention. And you complain about me not taking care of myself.
"Huh? Hey! C'mon this is totally different!" They cover their mouth, eyeing up at Junpei from behind their bangs. It shouldn't look as good as it does. Something about that look, with that gleaming mischievous edge that Minato always seems to worm into all their actions, made Junpei burn. He wanted to know what they have planned, wanted to become apart of those plans and live in that mischievous spirit.
It's not. "-Ah-Uh, yeah it is! This is one time, and you're not taking care of yourself on the 'reg, dude."
Minato made an iffy motion with their hand in doubt, earning a quiet laugh from Junpei. "Okay, now you're just trying to mess with me."
They shrink more into their jacket, clearly pleased with themselves. Took you long enough to figure it out.
It's Junpei's turn to click their tongue, beaming a little too much for a man who apparently was just being toyed with.
"You're evil, Minato Arisato" He jokes, jabbing the other in the side, earning a shrill noise from the back of their throat. And that hand clamping even tighter around their mouth. They shoot Junpei a glare that only makes him feel even more proud.
Low blow. "Nah, I call that getting even. You're just lucky that I didn't full on a tickle you, dude, or else you'd be toast."
Minato was incredibly ticklish, a fact that at the time Junpei loved because it gave him an edge over the "unflappable leader" but now he loves because it's funny. Seeing the other reduced to nothing but a jittery series of hysterics is funny, if not endearing. They didn't seem to see it that way, especially if the way they're scowling says anything.
Tickle me and you die. "Mhm. Sure."
He holds his nose up high, pretending to look down on Minato and there faux attempt to threaten him, before dropping the act entirely as he spoke; "So what kept you out so late tonight?"
They flush, eyes diverting down to the sidewalk underfoot as messed with the zipper on their jacket before their hands started moving again. It's not that important.
"Well now you've got to tell me." A huff and a quick pull of their zipper further up their chest, before they respond; I was at the arcade. Not important enough for me to miss walking Koromaru.
"Oh." Junpei balks. He's used to every member of SEES doing important things, like boxing matches or class events, though there was rare occasions where the other members hung out with friends. Rarely ever something so seemingly trivial as going to the arcade, especially Minato who seemed to only reserve 'gaming' for the Sundays where they locked themselves in their room. "Did you have fun?"
Minato looks puzzled at this, pausing for a moment to read Junpei's expression for answers before nodding.
"Then it's cool." They blinked, once, twice, their expression stone cold with a layer of icy confusion. Who are you and what did you do to Junpei?
He gives an ugly snort, tugging a little on Koromaru's leash in a knee jerk reaction when he pieces Minato's gestures together. "Nothing! I don't know, been thinkin’ is all."
About what? Junpei trudges up the shrine's steps, Minato at his side, and he shrugs, bending down to unsnap Koromaru's leash so he can run around. "It's not that important."
The Shiba Inu begins bounding around the yard at breakneck speeds, momentarily forgetting his two owners in favor of stretching his legs. Minato and Junpei watch the dogs path, before they swat at his arm again. He tenses, afraid Minato's going to ask him to start splurging his whole self searching journey to led him to accepting that Minato was allowed to have fun sometimes.
Thanks for looking out for me. Junpei heaves a small sigh, before breaking into his typical over the top goofy smile. "No problem, anything for my best friend."
They retreat into their jacket at that, the maroon color spreading to their ears not seeming to be caused by just the cold. Their hands move quickly, almost too quickly for Junpei to understand it, but thankfully he catches on; I like that.
"Huh? What? Me calling you my best friend?" A quick nod and a shining of eyes and Junpei's just as flushed. This unrequited love was jamming his heart with a pang of unwelcomed hope but even more affection looking at the warm face beaming up at him. Flushed skin and deep blue eyes, it seemed so easy to lean in and close that immeasurable gap.
Minato jabbed him hard in the chest, a grin - small but there - breaking across their features and blinding Junpei on sight. "Ow! Minato, wh-" You are my best friend.
They stress the motion, smiling so wide that for a moment he was afraid that Minato was definitely going to kill him. You are my best friend.
"I'm your best friend!" Junpei repeats, eyes wide as their aforementioned best friend is giving him the most crazed look. Then, they laugh, strained per usual, shaking their head as that smile wanes into something softer. It took you long enough.
"W-" Junpei cuts himself off, that sudden pang of memories being shot right back into his mind. Those memories he's watched behind his eyelids late at night, regretting the way he's acted and behaved. How he treated Minato when he knew. He knew that all they wanted was to be treated like an equal, like a friend. He winces. "Dude...I'm-"
Minato rolls their eyes, slapping his arm again to get his attention and subsequently cut him off. I forgave you for that a long time ago.
"Y-you did?" There is a reason the first word in sign language you learned was sorry, Junpei.
He winces again, this time deeper, a pungent disgust that twisted up in his features at the thought of his past self. Minato brought a hand up to their mouth as this, the smallest of laughs bubbling up at this humorous display.
"We should hang out more." Their shoulders stop their gentle shaking, and they stare up at him once again from behind their bangs. That look that feels so wordlessly eloquent, making Junpei struggle to keep looking since the heat of it was burning a hole through his chest.
We really should.
---
Minato worked on a strict schedule, and taking some of their time meant becoming apart of their schedule as well. At first Junpei whined at this - he didn't like the idea of having timed fun - but soon the concept became really comforting. It was nice to have something and someone always there at their designated time, in their designated place, whose only goal is to spend time with him of all people.
Sunday, unless of course a full moon was approaching but that was as scheduled as the meetings themselves, in Minato's dorm with Junpei bringing "supplies". Originally this supplies was stuff to talk about, since Junpei's biggest concern was running out of things to talk about. Minato never really worried about this though, they didn't seem to care if Junpei could keep them entertained the whole time, because they would always find enjoyment some other way. Enjoyment from just hanging out, which was a foreign concept for Junpei, who usually viewed social gatherings as a test of his ability to be charming and funny for long stretches of time.
Having a shared activity helped; instead of Junpei going on diatribes about the manga he wanted them to check out, they'd actually read it together. Or, later on, Junpei playing a video game and Minato half-watching half-studying for exams he didn't care about. Only really talking when the need arises, instead of all the time to fill the void. Even if they weren’t talking, they were still aware of each others presence. That outer awareness was the most comforting thing at all, the simple act of knowing he wasn’t alone - that at any moment he could start talking and Minato would be there to listen - he couldn’t describe how nice it felt.
Today was no different, with Minato laying on their stomach on his bed and Junpei on the floor leaning against said bed. He had one of Minato’s earbuds in, a newer trend that still baffled Junpei every time he heard what they actually listened to, which drowned out the already turned down sound effects coming from his game. They were practically leaning off the bed, their elbows digging into the mattress, some textbook loosely held in their grip. He barely had to turn his head to be face to face with the other; a daunting realization for giant-gesture-Junpei, but he remedied this by cocking his head back when he wanted to get the others attention.
“ Uuugh ” He whined, lolling his head back to rest against the mattress with that poetic groan of defeat. Minato glanced over at him, before fulling turning their head to look at the defeated man’s head beside his arm. After a few seconds of Junpei remaining stationary as his hat slowly slid more and more off his head, they poked his cheek to get his attention. His eyes flutter open, half lidded, before looking over just in time to see other sign; How bad did you do?
“The games cheating, dude.” Minato makes a noise that Junpei has taken to calling the ‘yeah-right’ noise, and Junpei turns over to fully look at them. Wide-eyed now and annoyed. “Seriously! Like, it’s crazy how difficult they made this boss. That can’t be good, or legally.”
Despite Junpei’s annoyance, Minato seems more entertained than onboard with his accusations. Quirking an eyebrow at him and setting their textbook aside in order to give him all their attention. This makes Junpei flush, like he always seemed to do when Minato actually paid attention to him. That was another thing about them that was different; they listened. Actually listened to what people had to say, what he had to say! Cared about hearing about this dumb video game Junpei was failing at - god, he was so soft for this boy.
Legally? “Yeah! Y’know, putting me through all this stress, it’s bad for me, for everyone! I think I could sue them for the damage they’ve caused.”
They hum, nodding along with Junpei’s story as if they’re actually interested oh my god are they actually interested? He couldn’t even fathom that, as much as the very thought inflated his flagging ego. Minato reaches out and places the back of their hand to Junpei’s forehead, squirming a little closer to do so. That familiar raven hair filled his vision, framing an even more familiar face with their features scrunched up in a look of concentration. They weren’t a very touchy person typically, something that Junpei had grown accustomed to and been ever the more surprised in moments like this where they actually bridge that gap. Even more surprised to have them so close, so swarmed in his view that Junpei couldn’t very well look at anything else.
A nice change of pace to where he previously had to get a good look at the other through sneaky glances when the other couldn’t see him, or brief moments of staring before cutting himself off incase it looked weird. Now, he actually got to take in the other he was pining after so badly. He got the appeal of Minato, looks and all, they truly were a catch. Soft features and warm expressions. He wondered if everyone liked him for that mysterious aspect like he originally thought, though, if so, they are both missing out and completely wrong.
Minato wasn’t mysterious - at least, not on purpose anyway - they were chaotic. A bundle of well meaning chaotic energy just lying in wait behind those soft eyes, ready and willing to do anything when asked by a friend. He remembers, a few weeks ago, when he had went to get lunch with Minato and he watched as they ordered the spiciest thing on the menu. A giant beef bowl of epic proportions, only shrugging when Junpei told him the painful death that they’d be on the end of if they tried to eat that. ‘It looks good’ that’s what they responded with, hands and expressions certain of a dangerous fate that he was sure they were getting. They got sick, incredibly so, face burning bright red for much of the walk home, but when Minato asked them about it all they did was shrug. Just shrug. That was Minato, and they were amazing.
You have a fever, but besides that there is no outside damage. They moved their hand from his forehead to sign, but they hadn’t moved back. The smallest of smiles crossing their features. Maybe you could sue them for emotional abuse though.
Junpei gulped down air like a dying fish, coming up empty after grasping at straws of what to say besides what was at the forefront of his mind. So, he spoke; “You have really nice features.” A beat of a pause, enough for him to get nervous. Too nervous. “-No wonder all the girls are fallin’ over you, dude.”
That small smile grows; Thank you.
They shrink back into shirt a little, the look in their eyes going from warm to that glint of that chaotic edge bubbling it’s way to the surface. They reach out and close Junpei’s mouth softly, before pulling their hand back. Next time, keep your mouth closed when you stare. You will catch flies.
His cheeks burn, eyes opened so wide he looks more like he saw the grim reaper than heard a simple jab. Junpei almost slams himself up, but manages to restrain himself when he realizes that he’d knock into Minato. Instead, his hand comes up and pulls his hat back on and over his eyes with a huff; “C-c’mon, man, you don’t have to do me dirty like that! I compliment someone and this is what I get.”
Minato snorts. Junpei feels the bed shift underneath him, causing him to lift his hat in curiosity to see them turning onto their back. Their head resting next to Junpei, they raise their hands and Junpei’s eyes follow them; I think you have good features too, don’t worry.
He slams his hat back down over his eyes.
---