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Minato was fairly sure that he was dreaming.
No, he knew for a fact he was dreaming, no matter how lucid it was. He’d even pinched himself the moment he realised, causing nothing but a dull, faux-ache, like his brain knew it should hurt but simply couldn’t accurately recreate the sensation.
There was nothing he could do about it, though. As if it weren’t a dream, he had gotten himself dressed and got himself out the door.
He was almost at school, now. Everything seemed normal, but he supposed that he wouldn’t really notice any inaccuracies while within the confines of his own mind.
The students chatted away as they made their way to the gates, and Minato stayed as quiet as possible. He had no want or need to stand out, especially without his friends here. He didn’t even spare a thought as to why they were missing.
Minato made his way into the school, through the hallways and up the stairs onto the rooftop. There wasn’t a particular reason for it, or at least not one he remembered.
He was having trouble remembering a lot of things nowadays, it seemed. Every waking moment was overshadowed by an overwhelming exhaustion, like his body was well aware it shouldn’t still be here.
He just had to make it a bit longer. What day even was it, now?
He pushed the doors open, eyes adjusting to the bright sunlight.
It was then that he saw him.
Blue eyes. A yellow scarf. Belonging to a person who definitely should not be here, much like Minato himself.
Minato would’ve cursed himself for dreaming such a thing if it hadn’t caught him so off guard. Ryoji looked… almost startled to see him. Or, perhaps more shocked that Minato had noticed him.
It didn’t take long for Minato’s brain to kick into gear.
He bolted forward, dropping his schoolbag along the way. Within seconds, he wrapped his arms around Ryoji as tightly as possible, much to the surprise of the taller boy.
Ryoji returned his hug tentatively, almost scared to touch him, but Minato didn’t care.
Because Ryoji was here. Ryoji was alive. Who cares if it was a dream? He’d gladly live in it for the rest of his life.
“It’s… nice to see you again, too,” Ryoji offered, a slightly awkward smile on his face. Minato didn’t see it, though, too busy burying his face into Ryoji’s shoulder.
He didn’t even know what to say. He didn’t even know what to do. It was pathetic, really, how much Minato missed Ryoji. He had known the boy for such a short amount of time compared to everyone else, but it felt like a lifetime.
It kind of was one, if he thought about it, but Minato didn’t care for such details. Not right now, not when he could feel Ryoji’s arms around him, and hear the boy’s voice.
Minato wanted to say something in return. Hell, he wanted to scream. He was feeling far too many emotions, none of which he could decipher enough to form a sentence. He struggled with words on a good day, let alone during the worst months of his life.
There was only one thing he could bring to mind. One thing he needed to make sure of.
“…Please. Please don’t leave again.”
It was a stupid wish. This was a dream, Ryoji was gone. There was no bringing him back.
And yet he asked. He asked Ryoji to make him such an idiotic promise.
He was just desperate. He wanted his best friend back, rules be damned.
“I’ll stay with you for as long as I can, Minato. I promise you that,” Ryoji answered, voice hushed and bordering on dismal.
But that was all he wanted. Minato loosened his grip slightly, enough that he could look at Ryoji’s face. It was the most lucid, real thing in this dream so far.
Ryoji’s expression worsened as he looked at Minato’s face, and he moved to wiped away tears Minato didn’t even realise were spilling.
The two soon found themselves on a bench, Minato leaning on Ryoji’s shoulder, clinging to the boy’s arm like he would disappear any second. It wasn’t an unfounded fear, but the fact of that simply made Minato feel worse.
“Why did things have to go the way they did?” Minato mumbled, toying with the end of Ryoji’s scarf with his free hand. Ryoji sighed, casting an apologetic look towards the other.
“There’s no use asking why things happened. It won’t make you feel any better,” He answered, brushing Minato’s hair away from his face. Minato leaned into the touch without thinking.
“I just don’t want you to be gone,” Minato said, his grip tightening. Ryoji nodded, “I know. And, I’m sorry.”
Minato would’ve started crying again if he only had the energy. It wasn’t like him to be so emotional, but things were different now. Plus, he trusted Ryoji enough to be himself before, why would he stop?
“It isn’t your fault. Please, don’t be sorry.”
Ryoji fell silent at that, his hand carding through Minato’s hair.
“Will I ever see you again?” Minato asked after a while, looking up at the boy. Ryoji smiled at him, soft yet full of emotion. Emotions that neither of the two would name. Not anymore.
“I don’t know. I don’t even know how it’s happening this time,” Ryoji answered, pausing for a moment, “But… There’s no reason to lose hope, is there?”
Minato knew he was right, and Even if Ryoji wasn’t right, Minato would hold onto the hope until he couldn’t anymore. It was all he really had.
The two fell into a comfortable silence after that, enjoying eachother’s company until they both knew for certain that they had overstayed their welcomes.
Minato’s eyes slipped shut just as Ryoji pressed a kiss to his forehead, bidding him a final, private goodbye.
Although Minato would prefer to think of it as a ‘see you later’, no matter the truth in the thought.
-
Minato woke up slowly, his mind clawing its way back into reality with difficulty. He opened his eyes, trying to adjust to the feeling of his heart still beating.
He got up sluggishly, peering at his calendar.
The 1st of March. He only had a few more days to go.
The thought sat strangely in his mind, but Minato was far too tired to think about it.
Putting on his uniform, MP3 player and headphones, Minato headed out the door.
It was just another day.