Chapter Text
Mink was sure he'd died. Aoba had Scrapped him and his mind was destroyed, trapping in the memories of the genocide of his people, right? Then why had he been having strange, lucid dreams of beeping and the smell of disinfectant? The lights were bright and there was never anyone around who wasn't asking questions when he felt fully conscious. He was getting annoyed with the doctors, still being alive, the isolation, and the fact that Aoba was gone. Well, that last one was more a feeling of guilt than anything.
The guilt only increased when Red came in for a visit. The younger man looked tired, confused, and hurt. There was a lump of dark blue fur in his arms and a pink cockatoo on his shoulder. Ren and Tori- why did he have them? Why was he here? Why had he been here before? That was the only way he could see him getting a hold of his Allmate. Red took a seat after handing Tori off to him and waited for them to have their small reunion before he spoke, Ren still tucked into the opening of his kimono and cradled to his chest.
Ren told me what he saw happen in Platinum Jail... But it's not much,
the hairdresser began shakily, looking up at Mink warily. Ren said he suspected you of harming Aoba, but not being the cause of his death, but I need to know what actually happened.
Mink passed a hand gently over Tori's feathers and thought for a while, staring his fellow Ribsteez team leader down in the process, I did and I am.
He wasn't going to lie to Red, he wasn't scared of him or his temper. The other man came for the truth and he was going to get it. He used Scrap on me and we were both trapped in my head.
Koujaku stared at him for a long time, like he was deciding with emotion to show Mink right now. The older man watched as he struggle to decide if he was angry surprised, or curious to know more. What happened then? Did he die when you were stuck?
His voice shook and he refused to look up at the formerly comatose man.
His Desire for destruction overtook him and I took his head when it was clear that he would not return Aoba to me,
the older male explained somewhat solemnly. He'd rather not be emotional over this, but the loss of Aoba's life instead of his own was not exactly a light burden. He hadn't become attached to Aoba- no no- but he had made this whole intricate plan to make sure that the blue-haired boy would have no qualms leaving him behind to die in the end. To make sure he would be the only one to die who wasn't Toue or his staff, and here he was. He was alive and his tool wasn't free to live his life as he did before Mink had been in it.
Koujaku nodded and sighed heavily, processing what he'd been told. For whatever reason, he trusted that Mink would not make the call to take Aoba's life- or not Aoba's, really, it seemed to be- unless he thought there was no other option. From the sounds of it, his friend had been long gone by the time Mink he decided to kill his... Desire for destruction
, as he put it. He was angry and disappointed, of course, but he'd gotten the information he wanted.
Why did you want to know?
Mink asked, unsure of Red's relationship with Aoba. They'd been friends for sure, but how close- and for how long- he didn't know.
Koujaku looked more uncomfortable with that question than the idea of Mink harming his friend. He wrote it off as the other having time to get used to one and not the other as he waited for the other man to answer him. He opened his mouth eventually and hugged Ren close to him as he spoke, he was a childhood friend of mine, we were close. I just wanted to know what happened... His grandmother also wants to know.
Mink studied his visitor closely, narrowed eyes picking him apart. There was a lot of emotion behind his words. That in itself wasn't odd if they had been so close, but there had been quite some time to adjust to Aoba's absence in his life, and he saw no evident progress in the grieving process so far. It looked like he had just barely squeaked past denial and was going into a dip of depression and blaming himself. Mink wasn't sure, though. He was curious now, so he'd keep this conversation going, let Red out of his life, get out of the hospital and find a nice place to end his life... Maybe. He wondered if the gods had sent someone to keep him alive, be it just for this conversation or something else. Tori shifted on his shoulder and dug his talons into his shoulder to bring him out of his thoughts. I... Am sorry for your loss,
he said quietly, unsure of what to say after thinking for so long. Perhaps Red would open up more if he tried a personable approach.
Koujaku nodded slowly and passed a hand over Ren's fur a couple of times, I just wish I'd been there to help. Maybe both of you could have gotten out of there alive if-
Mink cut him off with a stern glare and a harsh tone, cut the shit, Red. It's not anybody's fault but his own. He could have left be behind, but he didn't. He made the choice to put someone else's life before his own.
He put a hand up when Red opened his mouth to retort, it doesn't make it easier, I know. Don't get mad at me, yourself, or anyone. Value your memories and move on.
He paused before continuing when the hairdresser seemed to settle down. This wasn't his style, but if it pacified the man before him and prevented more grief due to his own mistakes- though he wasn't sure what they were quite yet- then he'd do this. I do not believe Aoba would not want people to dwell on his death like you are right now.
Koujaku let a slow breath out through his nose and seemed to calm down, you're right.
Mink nodded curtly. He had nothing more to say. His curiosity had been sated; it was very clear to him now that Red loved Aoba. He had answered his questions, and he was tired. The other man left after thanking him for his time. Mink thanked him for returning Tori to him and sank into his pillows once the other was out of the room. He let out a long breath and closed his eyes while Tori perched on the headboard and went into sleep mode. He felt so... Unfulfilled. He frowned and found he did not want to die unless he felt he could die in peace, knowing he had accomplished all that the gods had wanted him to.
Clearly, the gods had more planned for him. He was getting too old for this.