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"minatooooo~!" he drags, "we're going to be late!" ryoji whines, his foot tapping quickly.
minato glances at the clock and then glances at the mirror. if we leave right now, we're going to be early by 30 minutes. he thinks, but shrugs off the thought. he grabs his headphones, changing from his old neck strap mp3 player and clip-on earphones ever since ryoji gifted him the former for christmas. "if you don't change your headphones you're going to get called an oldie by those cute kouhais of yours~ plus these headphones have noise-canceling in them, for the synesthesia and obviously—the noise." he said, it was so endearing to minato at how caring the other was.
the time he nearly had a meltdown over the noise at the subway, ryoji cupped his ears so he won't break down even further. the time he felt burns all over his body over the voice of someone on tv, he shut off the tv and started rambling about the latest movie risette was in. "minato~!" he yells again, a cool breeze overflowing his senses the moment he calls, breaking him out of his love-induced thought train.
he goes out of their shared room, finding ryoji already at the door. he's still dressed like when they were seventeen, his awfully bright scarf and black suspenders, hair slicked back, and a grin that could blind you.
minato, on the other hand, wasn't dressed to impress, he was just wearing a plain graphic tee paired with some ripped jeans, and his (new!) signature dark blue headphones, with stickers on the ear cups—decorated by yukari and ryoji. he seems underdressed compared to ryoji, but he doesn't mind. "ready my dear?" ryoji asks, smiling softly at the other. minato nods, opening the door.
"make sure you remember to turn off the stove ryoji," he says, ryoji pauses to think if he did shut the stove. an indignant "i forgot!" come out of him, running to the kitchen, and comes back with his shoulders sagged. minato smiles, "i'm not letting you start another fire on accident." he looks like a sad puppy, he thinks, reminded of koromaru.
after a walk to the station to yongen-jaya, they arrive to leblanc. the bell rings the moment they enter, and the smell of curry and coffee greets their noses. "sorry for the delay- we forgo- they're not here!" ryoji says, startled and confused. "did you not notice we're 30 minutes early?" minato asks, glancing at the clock. his calculations were right. "eh?! but i thought-"
"sorry mochizuki-san, it's just me in here." akira waves, wiping one of the tables.
"kurusu-kun," minato walks over, high-fiving the younger. "senpai," he replies, returning the small grin the older had.
ryoji sags into one of the chairs, pouting. "i thought we were having it at this time... so i just rushed you for no reason... sorry minato." his boyfriend shakes his head, messing his hair even more. "i don't mind." he sits in front of ryoji, putting down his headphones on his shoulders, stretching. "we can just wait for everyone here, and if you're hungry, kurusu-kun is always there." he sighs, his arms on the table serving as a pillow for his head.
"you have to pay though." akira interjects, back behind the bar, drying the plates. it earns a chuckle from minato, "yeah ryoji, pay up."
ryoji pouts even more, mindlessly opening up his phone to the group chat he has with the other persona-users.
it all started with the 7 wild cards appearing in the velvet room—at the same time, this wasn't possible so they were all confused—they made a group chat and it has been smooth sailing ever since. ann, yukari, and rise had a model shoot and a sub-unit under their label together—makoto, naoto, and mitsuru had this whole seminar—it's like a huge family clan, without the drama and repressed issues against each other. don't they just call that a found family?
he scrolls up to the time they discussed the meeting, and he did remember it wrong, they were supposed to meet half an hour later since yosuke had an interview in the morning. he hears soft snoring from minato, seemingly asleep in a matter of minutes. ryoji rubs his head lovingly and minato purrs—so much for "beating the cat allegations." he's so adorable ryoji could just melt. even if they're already nearing their late twenties ryoji will never hesitate to call minato cute, it never gets old.
the bell rings again, revealing to be one of akira's boyfriends—goro akechi, the second detective prince. "oh, mochizuki-san and arisato-san, you two came quite early." he notes, sitting down at his regular seat, sipping on the cup of coffee akira prepared ahead of his arrival—which, ryoji think is very homosexual behavior. "hey akechi," ryoji waves lazily, and minato mumbles a little "hello" too.
the 7 wild cards walk in little by little, accompanied by their partners, akira's partners taking the whole line at the bar while the rest are at the booths.
hamuko and aigis arrive too, aigis seated next to ryoji while hamuko sits next to her sleeping twin.
"is that all of us?" yu asks, and everyone gives a sound of affirmation. "why are we gathered here again?" hamuko asks, looking around. "i thought this about catching up, since we haven't had these meetings in a while." tatsuya says, fiddling with some mechanic thing ryoji doesn't know.
"suou-senpai... please don't work on stuff like that on there... i just cleaned that table..." akira says, exasperation all over his tone. tatsuya shrugs, putting away the thing.
they start talking over each other, talking about what they've been up to. minato stirs awake, stretching like a cat again. "oh toto, you're awake." he slumps on the chair, shaking his head. "i was already awake when sakamoto walked in." yosuke leaps up, looking for the blue-haired wild card. "arisato-san! the label's asking for the new demo, so we can work on rise's comeback." he says, with minato nodding. yu tugs his shirt, a pained smile gracing his features. "ah, well now everyone knows we're planning a comeback." he mutters, getting back in his seat.
"no biggie, my mouth's shut." ryoji says, mimicking a zipper closing his lips, with the others muttering the same idea.
"say, hanamura-san, would rise-san be free to collaborate with another artist?" akechi turns towards the musician, tilting his head. "hm, i'll ask them, but if you're asking to collab with rise, i'm all ears!" he grins, giving a thumbs up. yu gives a big thumbs up as well, "tell your manager to contact us whenever."
a few minutes later and they're all suddenly playing the biggest go-fish minato has ever seen. the "anti-socials" of the group—dubbed by ryuji, are seated at one booth, all doing their own thing.
akechi is busy doing detective work, yusuke is doodling on his sketchbook, and minato's about to nod off. aigis moves next to him, slightly jostling him. "hamuko told me to stay here since i'm a 'bad player.' i am duly following the rules though?" she says, but hamuko interjects. "you kept on saying everyone was lying! that's not the point of go fish!" akechi snorts while writing, his handwriting staggering.
minato smiles and glances at his boyfriend. his level-headed self thinks this is so love-smitten of him, but he doesn't mind, especially if it's ryoji. he's so happy and smiley, it makes minato's heart hurt. every time he looks at ryoji, he thanks elizabeth internally for finding a way to save him and ryoji. his mind is filled with ryoji, and his spotify shuffle thinks it's perfect to play the song that reminds minato severely of ryoji. it's an opm song, suggested by yosuke and akechi, both coming from the philippines. his smile grows even bigger, being the love-stricken fool that he is. the song feels just like ryoji, and he internally gets on his knees at how in love he is with him.
when he heard ryoji's voice the first time, he got chills. his heart clenched tightly and he couldn't breathe, his cheeks reddened to the same color as the hair color of his twin. his voice was everything to minato, it was a soft cool breeze, as if he was on a hill, watching over the vast ocean. he has never felt this way for a person, and he wanted out immediately. he didn't want to get attached, but he did, and it's the best and worst mistake he ever did in that 1 year of studying at gekkoukan.
the moment they came back, minato kissed him. he's sure ryoji tasted some of his tears, considering he was sobbing the whole time. ryoji kissed him back with the same fervor, holding him as if he would lose him—because he did. a confession later from the both of them—they blurted it at the same time, like a teen romance movie—they started dating an hour after elizabeth brought them back. they enter the sees dorm, and they greet both of them with tear-filled eyes and joyous smiles.
it's been roughly 8 years since all of that happened, and they're now happily married, and ryoji's a daycare attendant, while minato pursued music. he goes by the name "sun fool," the reason being absolutely corny, since he's a fool for ryoji and ryoji's the sun—ryoji snorted at the name. his music garnered a lot of attention, recruited by yosuke, and won awards. no one knows his face, other than the staff and the idols he works with, and he's content with staying that way, after all the way he proposed to ryoji was with a song—he's not too sure if rise's fans would want to know the songs are all made by a gay songwriter. he remembers the fact that rise sang it personally during their wedding.
he still thinks he was a genius for it, he put "will you marry me" into morse code and set it as the intro, chorus, and outro for the song. the song itself was romantic, written by him, rise, and yosuke. he's forever grateful for these people in his life, and he's glad he realized the importance of these "bonds" before it was too late.
"...sato-san? arisato-san!" akechi says, waving a hand in front of minato's eyes, stopping his ryoji induced brain rot—as would futaba say. "i was going to ask you about the type of song you were going for in rise's comeback, but it seems you were burning holes onto mochizuki-san." he says, making minato frown. "that obvious?" he mutters, and the other three nod.
"i think it's rather adorable really, you guys have been with each other for 8 years correct?" minato nods shyly, like the time yukari interrogated him about his crush on ryoji a few years back. "and the fact the both of them are still so smitten speaks wonders." yusuke muses, hand on his chin, stars practically dazzling all over him. "my art is truly a masterpiece, goro, what do you think?" he passes the sketchbook to akechi, and he smiles. "it's beautiful." he whispers something to yusuke and he lights up. "great idea, i will tell it to him after this game wraps up."
his interest piquing, but he doesn't bother and goes through his phone. "i was planning to have it a little energetic, like a workout song—since rise-san was complaining about her songs not being energetic." he adds, "i was thinking of using that really old sub-unit of hers—you know, her, takamaki-san and yukari." akechi nods, jotting down notes. "maybe i could rap for the song?" he asks, making minato shocked. "you can rap?" akechi nods, "i have experience."
they discuss a bit more until a painful groan can be heard from the circle in the middle of the cafe, it seems the game ended with ryoji winning. they all whine at how ryoji could have won but he shrugs. "don't get too butthurt~" he laughs, walking back to the "anti-social" booth. "did you see mina!! i won!" he grins, throwing a peace sign at minato. he smiles back, "you did well ryoji."
ryoji grins even wider, his smile practically reaching his ears. yusuke stands up, handing ryoji his sketchbook. and ryoji blushes. he looks at his husband, then at the drawing. it's the spitting image of him!
it's a sketch of minato resting his chin on the palm of his hand, elbow on the table. he had a soft look and smile on his face, the same face when he was looking at ryoji. oh, now they've done it, ryoji thought he couldn't get even redder.
"i can give it to you, free of charge." yusuke smiles, ripping out the piece of paper from his sketchbook. "oh no i possibly can't—i need to pay for it—" yusuke holds ryoji's hand reaching for his wallet, interrupting him. "you won't have a need for it." goro stands up, standing next to him, whispering, "you know, arisato-san was staring at you as if he still had a yearning crush on you, it was funny yet it makes me feel a little homophobic." he pats ryoji, "you should take the drawing, yusuke usually doesn't charge for free."
ryoji nods, looking back at minato, who's talking to aigis and hamuko, smiling and giggling. i'm so in love with him.
a time when minato picked him up from work after a stomach bug, he was extremely surprised. usually, it's the other way around, he wasn't mentally prepared for this! and minato looked so adorable—just in a simple sweater and pants and is that his scarf?! the moment he saw minato he blushed so hard it could rival hamuko's hair. hamuko worked at the same daycare ryoji was in, and when she noticed she laughed and patted ryoji's back aggressively.
apparently, on the way to the clinic, minato was asked several questions by the kids such as "who are you" or "why are you here," he answered truthfully, as he always would.
the kids followed him all to the clinic, and they were all surprised to find out the "lover" this mysterious guy was talking about was no other than mr. ryoji. now it was ryoji's time to get bombarded by questions. "are you dating mr. arisato?!" a kid yells too loudly, a wince being heard from the both of them. "yes i am!" he replies, despite the fact, his stomach is hurting, he puts on his 'i love kids' face and entertains the kids' questions.
minato of course noticed it. he grabs ryoji's hand, the one where his marriage ring is situated, and rubs his fingers against his. "kids, mr. ...?" he glances towards ryoji, silently asking what these kids call him and he mouths his first name. "ryoji needs his rest, we need to go now, we can answer your questions tomorrow okay?" thankfully the kids all nod and leave them alone, and ryoji sighs in relief. "you saved me."
"don't mention it, koko told me you were having the worst stomachache so i came here running." he holds ryoji's hand tighter, his blush getting worse. "anyways, it's time to rest, come on."
it's simple things like these that make ryoji swoon and sigh. he's so in love that it physically pains him. it's like that one photo that futaba loves sending to the group chat every time she sees sumire. kneeling, one hand on the floor and the other gripping the shirt tightly, with tears in their eyes. if minato heard this he would've laughed at him. he's just so in love with minato, he starts tearing up every time he remembers the confession.
he was born to be death, he was born to kill mankind, and yet this loner awkward kid showed him how to live. he forever thanks elizabeth for saving them both. he showed minato his actual form and he still did not waver. minato confessed that was the time he realized he really loved ryoji. it was cute yet confusing? either way, he's glad minato likes him back.
"mochizuki-san?" akechi stops him from his minato-induced stupor, and he smirks. "are you thinking about him?" he nods, so smitten for minato. yusuke laughs, "i told you, even after 8 years they're still head over heels for each other."
akechi huffs, "not like i was denying it."
minato gets up from the booth, and slams his head onto ryoji's shoulder, signifying he wants to go home. the paper is squashed between his chest and minato's chest, crinkling the sketch. "ah, alright alright, we'll go home." he runs his fingers on minato's hair, and minato sinks onto ryoji. "frankly, that's gross." yosuke says, seeing the whole ordeal.
minato pokes his tongue out and walks towards the door, holding ryoji's hand. "we'll be going now, thanks everyone!" ryoji waves and everyone says their goodbyes to the couple, yosuke adds a "don't forget about the demo!" with minato groaning an affirmation/
walking towards the subway, minato's leaning onto ryoji, headphones on his ears, tired. like it wasn't new, ryoji muses, and he looks back at the drawing yusuke gave him. "is that what kitagawa-san gave you?" he asks, leaning even more to see.
"yeah," he gives the paper to minato, not bothering to use a flashlight because this feline in denial can see in the dark. "do you like it? it really looks like you. it's gorgeous in my eyes."
minato nods, "if it's pretty in your eyes, then it's pretty in my eyes too." he hands back the paper, "kitagawa-kun is really good at drawing, isn't he?" ryoji nods, staring at the sky, illuminated by the stars.
"we can stay here for a while you know, if you want to stay and watch the stars." minato says, looking at ryoji, staring at the stars in his eyes. "nah, we have a better view in our apartment anyways, let's rush home!" he leaps, running towards the station, leaving minato standing.
minato starts laughing while trying to catch up to ryoji, yelling "you're too tall!" at the younger. ryoji looks back and replies "you're just short!" and runs even faster.
they arrive at the station panting and giggling. yusuke was right, we still act like we're seventeen. ryoji thinks, no matter—those were the years we were truly in love, and we haven't moved on from it.
"last one there has to wash the dishes?" ryoji says, entering the train. "but i thought there were no more plates—don't tell me—ryoji!" he hits ryoji's chest softly, offended. "sorry! i got a little hungry."
he sighs and checks his phone. "no worries, i'll do it, you have schoolworks to check no?" he says, finding a playlist to play.
ryoji freezes, then sighs. "i forgot..." minato chuckles and hugs him. ryoji yelps a little at the push, "sorry for getting sappy but, i'm really glad you're here... with me." the taller nods, hugging minato back. "me too."