Disclaimer: Persona is not mine. However, there are many lines in this that were taken directly from in-game. It lends realism… :-P -guffaw- In any case, if anyone finds it suspect, I will happily label every line I used to blend the game with this fic and keep the New Game+ feel.

Warnings: Some attempts at levity in this chapter and the next, perhaps overdone. Junpei is a fun character to write, though. -sigh- A few mentions of sex.

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New Game+

The Revelation

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“There are times when you will lose sight of your goal, and you will have to search for it. But if you can't find it again, then you must set your heart on a new goal. To truly live, you will need to make changes sometimes.” - Mitsuru

12/1/09

It had only been two days since Junpei had walked in on them, but Minato was already done with the avoidance. The boy paled every time one of them came near, leaving the room if there was any excuse at all to do so. He might have left it alone for a week or two, but Minato knew very well that there would be enough problems between them in the coming days. It was better to get this said now. He found his quarry in the second floor’s lounge before school, turning over one of his hands like it was a form of entertainment.

Junpei looked up as the sound of Minato’s footsteps reached him, eyes darting towards his room like he would run.

“Don’t you dare.”

Something in his voice must have gotten through Junpei’s thick skull because he paused in getting up. “Uhh… hey there, Minato, what’s up?”

Minato sat on the couch and leaned back, glaring at Junpei through his lashes. “We’re going to talk now.”

“A-About?”

“You are not going to ‘catch’ gay by being near me. You are not going to be pounced on if you sit next to Akihiko. If you don’t stop acting like we have a communicable disease, you are going to piss me off.”

Junpei fidgeted. “I know that, man. Honest. It’s just… weird, y’know?”

“No, I don’t know.”

Junpei grimaced, but he met Minato’s eyes. “You have half the girls in Gekkoukan after you. Why Senpai?”

“Do you think we choose who we are attracted to?”

Junpei shook his head. “Not really, I mean… well… but still. How can you…?”

“I have no plans to explain myself to you, and I don’t have to. It isn’t any of your business.”

“No, no, I get it. You like Akihiko-senpai for some reason. That’s cool. But I mean… doesn’t it hurt?”

Minato stared blankly. “What?”

“Y’know… you were on bottom…”

His expression twisted indignantly, and he would have had one hell of a response for his juvenile friend if Ken hadn’t chosen that moment to walk out of his room, yawning. “Oh, good morning Junpei-san, Minato-san.”

The look on Junpei’s face was nearly reverent as he turned to Ken, grin taking over his face. “Anyone ever tell you that you had awesome timing, Ken-kun?”

The young boy blinked, scratching the back of his head as he blinked sleep from his eyes. “Huh?”

Minato rose without greeting, giving Junpei a taste of his thunderous expression before he walked down the hall and into Akihiko’s room.

12/5/09

Minato looked up from Akihiko’s bed, raising an eyebrow at the fourth sigh in as many minutes from the older boy. Akihiko’s foot kicked against his desk in ill-concealed irritation, eyes somewhere on the wood grain instead of on his math book.

“What’s wrong?”

Akihiko jerked and whipped his head to the side to meet Minato’s eyes, dazed look fading. “Huh?”

“Eloquent,” he said with a smirk, ignoring his boyfriend’s glare. “I asked what was wrong. You’re abusing your furniture.”

Akihiko didn’t respond as Minato thought he would, no blushing or annoyed cursing. Instead he took on the sad, pensive frown that always made Minato’s stomach drop. “Are we all going to die, Minato?”

He'd been expecting the question, honestly. Akihiko was the only person who had any idea of his 'second chance', and it was bound to be a thought in the boy's mind. It didn't make the pain less sharp, the urgency less enveloping. Blue eyes closed with a pained grimace. “Do you think I would allow that?”

“And if it was beyond your control?” Akihiko knew him too well, it seemed, for him to know just what he was playing at.

Minato took a deep breath, determined to make it through this conversation without blubbering like a child at his boyfriend's feet, spilling the last secrets he kept. “Then I would have spent this year making sure it didn’t happen.”

Tired silver eyes peeked through the hands Akihiko had let his head fall into. “I trust you, you know I do. But I have the most horrible feeling that there’s more to this than we know. You’d tell me, wouldn’t you?”

Minato tried not to grimace again, his eyes focused on Akihiko’s ear instead of his eyes. He couldn’t lie. But he refused to tell the truth. “I would tell you if I thought there was something important to be told. If it was anything within either of our control.”

“That isn’t comforting, Minato.”

“I would never put any of you in danger and you know it.”

Akihiko stood then, slow and dragging, limbs limp as he shuffled to stand at the side of the bed, staring down at Minato with that frown again playing on his lips. “This fear hurts. If I knew what in the hell I was scared of it wouldn’t be so bad, but I’m terrified out of my damned mind and I don’t know why! I’m not afraid of dying, I’m not afraid of fighting to a bloody end. But I’m so scared of nothing at all that I can hardly fucking breath, Minato. Why? Do you know?”

When he shook his head and whispered, “No,” with wide eyes, it wasn’t a lie. He didn’t know why Akihiko felt all that. He didn’t know how it could be possible. But with chapped lips pressing to his a moment later, he had no problem pushing such disturbing thoughts away and reciprocating with everything he had.

He pressed Akihiko slowly back onto the bed, legs on either side of his hips, hands already wriggling their way under his boyfriend’s shirt. The way Akihiko fell back and submitted without even a token protest was worrying, and even more worrying still was the way he whispered pleads into Minato’s ear, breath shaky. While Akihiko was far often from dominant even as he took him, it was generally more a matter of balance between them than any real roles. But now Minato could feel the coaxing in every soft stroke to his skin, the way Akihiko offered himself up with only that unknown fear in his eyes.

Though he had read somewhere that preparation wasn't needed when you had sex regularly, he didn't think they'd reached that point yet. But Akihiko was exceedingly gentle then, too, lubricated fingers pressing so slowly, so gently... Minato felt like he was breaking. Tended externally, treated like glass or porcelain, but inside he felt chips of himself falling away, bits of his reserve and his core shattering with every quiet whimper in his ear.

And as Minato finally lowered himself onto Akihiko… silent and slow and breathtakingly beautiful and ohgods… he could have sworn he heard a begging whisper asking him to live.

12/11/09

Minato gave a short wave to Mamoru, stomach full from the meal they’d shared. Mamoru was driven to a frightening degree (it honestly reminded him of Akihiko; he wondered if he should introduce the two), but he had such amazing reasons behind it. He was strong in a way Minato didn’t think he could ever be. He had enough trouble taking care of himself without a million other responsibilities being hefted onto his shoulders, thank you very much.

He also felt better knowing that he didn’t need to max out the Star Social Link. Helel sat in the edges of his awareness to remind him of that.

He opened the dorm’s door into a war zone, one of the couches flipped on its back and the coffee table pushed askew. Mitsuru was scowling from near the counter, watching the two boys in the center of the room face off. She was the only witness besides a whimpering Koromaru, who trotted over to him as soon as he entered. He dropped a hand to scratch behind the canine’s ears, petting down his neck soothingly.

“Shut your damn mouth, Junpei,” Akihiko growled, teeth bared. It was a bit frightening with the blood on his teeth, and Minato stamped down his concern in order to observe the situation.

Junpei sneered back, ducking back away from a strong swipe of Akihiko's fist. “Oh, you would stand up for him.”

“Shut up! You are so insecure that you always have to find someone else to blame, don’t you?”

Junpei gesticulated harshly, cutting his arms in wide arcs. “We’re going to fucking die, damnit! Do you get that, or are you too stuck in la-la-land with your boyfriend to figure this shit out? We’re going to die! And if it wasn’t for your boy toy…”

“Akihiko has nothing to do with this,” Minato said in a monotone, staring flatly at Junpei. “If you have a problem with me, say it to me.”

The boy spun on his heels to stare, momentarily flabbergasted, blinking rapidly before scowling at Minato. A middle finger was flipped in his direction. “Fuck both of you, man! And that is totally not an offer!”

Akihiko gave a harsh laugh, wiping the blood from his split lip. “Even if it was, I wouldn’t take it if you were the last person on earth.”

“What in the hell is all of this about?” Minato turned to Mitsuru for an answer, fed up quickly with Akihiko and Junpei’s bickering.

She was looking quite peeved herself, long fingers tapping on her forarm. “Carry-over from last night’s discussion. It seems Akihiko took exception with Junpei’s blaming the situation on you.”

Minato ran a hand over his face. “Don’t worry about it, Akihiko. He doesn’t mean it.”

“Like hell I don’t!”

Blue eyes glared and he stalked toward Junpei, joints stiff. “Be quiet. I know you’re scared out of your mind, but you have got to stop this. Now. Without the whole team working together, we’ll never find a solution to all of this.”

Junpei stared, brown eyes dilated. Minato waited in silence for Junpei’s face to drop and his lips to purse, which they did. “I-I’m sorry man.”

“Don’t be. Just don’t take things out on others. We’ll figure things--”

“What is going on down here?!”

Fuuka and Yukari came hurtling down the stairs with wide eyes. Fuuka was wringing her hands, running to Akihiko with a gasp. “Senpai, you’re hurt! Do you need the First Aid kit?

Akihiko shook his head. “It’s nothing, Fuuka.”

She fidgeted, turning to Minato with wide teal eyes. “Minato-kun? What happened?”

He walked towards Akihiko with a hint of a smile. “Don’t worry, everything’s fine now. I‘ll take Senpai upstairs and get him fixed up, alright? Junpei’s foot is hurt, maybe you can get him to put some ice on it.”

The boy blinked rapidly at him. “How‘d ya know?”

“You‘re standing wrong.”

Yukari turned from where she was talking to Mitsuru, moving to Minato and cutting off his escape route. “What about you? Are you hurt?”

“I wasn’t a part of this.”

“B-but Mitsuru-senpai said this was about the things Junpei said last night.”

Akihiko grunted, grabbing Minato by the bicep and pulling him towards the stairs. “It was.”

The way Yukari’s eyes narrowed towards them wasn’t comforting, but he willingly let his boyfriend drag him towards whichever of their rooms he chose. There had just been too much happening in the last days for his comfort.

12/13/09

“Shit, man, I didn’t realize how boring things were getting without going to Tartarus. Glad to be back in action!”

Minato gave a weak smirk. “Yeah.”

“Did you see the way I pounded the shit outta that Prime Magus? I was totally on tonight! Booyah, nothing keeps Junpei Iori down!” The boy stretched and grinned, practically strutting. “Can’t wait to tell Chidori tomorrow when I go to see her, man. She's doing so much better already, it's awesome. You should come with me sometime. Don't know if she'd like that, but she appreciates how little you talk.”

They reached Port Island station easily, traversing the green-washed streets with the ease of people who took the journey far too often. Junpei rambled as background noise for the trip, hopping over bloody puddles. But it was still at least another fifteen minutes before the Dark Hour ended and the trains were back to running again, so Minato got comfortable on one of the benches as they arrived. He stretched out over the length of it, feet kicked over the arm to dangle while Junpei sat in the little space he’d left available.

The boy had gone uncharacteristically quiet, Minato noted. With his hands clasped between his knees and his hat knocked back as he looked at the sky, Junpei nearly looked his age for once. However, it reminded Minato uncomfortably of how the boy had looked after Chidori’s death, mourning for weeks over the loss of what Minato was sure was his first love.

Minato turned his head to the side. Silver hair gleamed oddly under the Dark Hour’s moon as Akihiko shook his head, scowling at Shinjiro who was smirking darkly back. He wasn’t surprised that his eyes had found Akihiko before all else. Whether at school or in battle, he seemed to have some kind of radar for his boyfriend, always knowing when he’d entered a room or was moving to a new position. It had been a bit unsettling when he’d first noticed how attuned he was to Akihiko's movements, but he was rather used to it by now. He felt a smile pull at his lips as Akihiko brandished a fist at Shinjiro, quickly halted in his advance by an exasperated Mitsuru.

“Are you even scared?”

Minato tore his eyes away from the group of Seniors, looking back towards Junpei. “Hmm?”

“All this shit. Are you really not scared at all?”

“Why should I be?” Minato shrugged awkwardly where he lay. “What can I really do about it after all? Either we fight and win, fight and lose, or give up preemptively and lose anyway. There isn’t anything in that to be afraid of.”

“You aren’t afraid of losing?”

Minato hummed, tipping back his head to look at Junpei more fully. “Of course I don’t want to lose. But I refuse to waste my time fearing it. I’ll just fight to be sure I win.”

“Well said, Arisato.”

Mitsuru’s voice joined the conversation, the girl standing at the foot of the bench with a half smile. Her presence made Junpei’s thoughtful expression fade to a smirk, easily falling back into his well-known cockiness. “Got that right, Mitsuru-senpai.”

“The Dark Hour is ending. We need to move somewhere out of sight so as to not frighten any passersby.”

Minato kicked his legs to the side and stood, hands sliding into his pockets. Mitsuru was already moving towards Ken, Fuuka, Koromaru, and Yukari when Junpei’s hand on his arm made him look back.

“Hey, Minato? I’m sorry about last week. Can we forget about it?”

He huffed. “Already forgotten. If I had to remember every asinine thing you said, I’d have no room for anything else.”

Junpei expression made Minato think he was torn between laughing and ranting, and as Minato walked away, ranting apparently won out. “Get back here, you son of a bitch, and say that again!”

12/17/09

“I really need to keep studying, I don’t think meeting today is such a great idea!”

Minato rolled his eyes and kept walking, a shrug lifting one of his shoulders. “We all need a break, Yukari.”

“But…!”

Junpei moved to her side and bumped into her gracelessly. “Yuka-tan, calm down. You don’t see Minato studying and he’s just fine.”

“He never studies!” she snapped, looking rather irritated.

“Umm, guys, people are looking at us…” Fuuka cut into the steadily more vociferous argument, a hesitant smile taking over her face.

Minato slid open the door to the cafeteria. “Who cares if they look? We’re already infamous as a group anyway.”

A low snicker came from their destination. “Shit, you can say that again.”

Minato smirked at Shinjiro and slid into the seat left open beside Akihiko, who wasted no time in linking their ankles under the table. “Infamous is a little negative, don’t you think?”

Mitsuru huffed across the table as the others took their seats. “While it is true that our assemblage has gained quite the reputation, I would hardly call us infamous. Perhaps Iori’s mouth could be considered as such, but the rest of us are thought of in a far more pleasing light.”

“Oi, that hurt, Mitsuru-senpai!”

Yukari was twisting her fingers on the tabletop. “Can we make this quick? I still have to brush up for Classic Lit…”

“Studying in the middle of exams is only going to burn you out, Takeba,” Akihiko said with a sharp smirk. “Chill, would ya?”

“Easy for you to say, Senpai. I’ve never seen you have to study very hard for high marks.”

“With Mitsuru as a friend for the last few years, I haven’t really had a choice in the matter.”

Fuuka smiled. “Well, I think the advice is good, Yukari-chan. You shouldn’t let yourself get too stressed; it’s bad for your health.”

Fingers dug into his arm, making Minato turn with surprise. Yukari had a light pink dusting her cheeks as she clung to him. “Minato… will you help me study tonight? I mean… I might not be able to study now, but you’re really good at all these subjects…”

Akihiko’s leg jerked against his. Minato wished he could turn to see what kind of expression his boyfriend wore, but that wasn’t really appropriate with Yukari staring at him so pleadingly. He sighed and made to pull his arm away. “I really would like to get to bed early tonight…”

“I swear it won’t take very long, Minato!”

“Jeez, Yuka-tan, you’re desperate.”

Junpei yelped as Yukari’s foot cracked against his shin, and Yukari gave him a snide smile. “Oh, did that hurt Stupei?”

The familiar argument caused Yukari’s fingers to loosen from his sleeve, hand falling away as she became more involved in the bickering. Minato slipped a glance to Akihiko as one of his hands clenched on Minato’s knee, seeing silver eyes narrowed at him. Minato gave him a wry look. “What, do you think I’m encouraging her?” he murmured under the din of voices.

Seeming to abruptly realize how he was acting, Akihiko released him and scowled, glaring towards the cafeteria windows. “Shut up.” The hand didn’t leave his knee.

“Minato-kun, I think I would benefit from some tips from you, too. Could I join you and Yukari-chan?”

Yukari’s head whipped back with a frown, but it melted to a soft smile as she met Fuuka’s nervous gaze. “If Minato will do it…”

With a sigh he nodded. “Fine, but just for an hour.”

“Thanks, Minato!”

Junpei made a face at him and mumbled under his breath, and Minato could only imagine the grumblings about his relationship when he had such a range of women he could date. He ignored it easily.

Shinjiro scoffed as he pushed away his finished obento, being the only one who was bothering to eat. “You kids take school way too seriously.”

“Shinjiro…”

Mitsuru’s glare would have withered most people, but Shinjiro just raised an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

The silence that fell as the two upperclassmen glared at one another gave the others their cue to leave, Akihiko releasing Minato’s leg to grab his jacket. Neither Shinji nor Mitsuru looked up from their staring match, even as the table emptied. Akihiko followed them out.

“Are they often like that?” Fuuka said with a frown.

Akihiko rolled his eyes. “Sometimes. They’ve never really been friends like I am with both of them. And when they disagree, they’re both hard-headed enough to face off for hours.”

“That must be hard on you,” said Yukari.

He shrugged, swaying to lightly bump Minato as he did. “Not really. I just ignore the two of them when they get like that.”

“They’re closest to you, though, right? I wouldn’t want my best friends to be fighting.” She cringed. “I had enough of that when Junpei and Minato were fighting.”

Junpei looked stunned as he stopped walking entirely. “Best friend?”

Yukari glared through the blush on her cheeks, turning back to the front. “Who else do I have, idiot?”

Akihiko cut in quickly, hoping to avert another explosion. “But they aren’t your only friends, right? So even when they’re being idiots, you have others you can go to. That’s all I do when Shinji and Mitsuru are in these moods. No big deal.” He ran a gloved hand through his hair. “Either that or I spend some time in the ring. Training is a good way to take your mind off of things.”

“Huh, somehow I didn’t think you had any other friends, Senpai.” Yukari shrugged and turned back to the front, missing the affronted glare she got. Minato knew she didn’t mean anything by it, though, and let his hand meet Akihiko’s for a moment to dissuade any retort he might have had.

The boy sighed inaudibly and slumped. “I’d better get to class. I just hope those two won’t be glaring all day.”

“They’ll be fine.”

Akihiko gave him a lopsided smile and raised a hand in farewell before sliding around a corner and away, leaving the Juniors in a paused state outside their classroom.

“Man, this sucks. Aren’t the exams over yet?”

Minato shook his head. “Almost.”

“Like you have anything to worry about?” a voice behind him asked, laughing lightly.

“Kenji, my man! Sup?” Junpei moved over to the boy and thumped him on the back.

Kenji stretched his arms over his head. “Nothing much, just wishing these were over with too.”

“O-Only a couple more days, Tomochika-kun.” Fuuka was blushing brightly, and Minato had to feign a yawn to hide his smirk.

“Oh… Yamagishi-san? You’re in 2-E, right?” Kenji said as he dropped his arms. "Heard you've been at school a lot more lately."

She nodded, still rather pink.

“Yeah, she’s our bud; lives at the dorms with us. Right Fuuka?” Junpei moved to lean an arm on the girl, grinning as she sputtered and nodded.

“Right, nice to meet you. But class is starting now, so I think we should get inside before Ms. Toriyumi freaks out…”

Yukari straightened and yanked out her cell, nearly screeching. “Less than a minute! All of you, inside, now!”

Minato hung back as everyone went for the door, smiling to himself. In his younger years, he didn’t think he could recall a single person he’d counted as his friend. But now? He felt lucky to have the people around him that he did, even if the happiness was fleeting. It was enough.

12/19/09

“Oh, come on Minato!”

Minato scowled and kept walking from Iwatodai Station, moving fluidly through the people on the sidewalk. Junpei cursed behind him as he tried to catch up. He hadn’t expected to run into him since he’d stayed behind so late seeing Bunkichi and Mitsuko, but Jupei had apparently been visiting Chidori that afternoon. Minato found himself regretting ever thinking it was better for Junpei to be on good terms with him and accepting his relationship. If this was the price…

“It wasn’t that bad of a question!”

He refused to dignify the question with a response. Junpei had moved from innocuous ‘does it hurt’ questions to ones on mechanics, and hell if he was going to give him details on his sex life. And about preparation, of all things!

Part of him really wondered why Junpei even wanted to know. The rest of him shuddered.

While he certainly wasn't a shy type, his sex life wasn't something he ever wanted to discuss. Heterosexual or homosexual, there were just some subjects that were off limits. Foreverone but Junpei, it seemed.

“Fine, you don’t have to answer. I have a different question! Which of you is uke?”

That stopped Minato with one foot about to lift into the air, ears burning. “What did you just say?”

Junpei was like a puppy, grinning and bouncing on the balls of his feet. “Uke. You look like one, Akihiko-senpai acts like one half the time. Which of you really is?”

He stared for an exceptionally long moment at Junpei’s guileless face; the boy honestly thought that was a normal question! “Neither.” With a shake of his head he pushed past him, glad as the pedestrians thinned. What kind of preteen fanbrat was Junpei? Honestly?

“Oi! Don’t just walk off!” The boy was already trotting after him. “C’mon, you’re no fun. There has to be an uke!”

They reached the dorm in record time with Junpei annoying the hell out of Minato, and Minato turned with a glare when they arrived. “Where in the hell do you get these ideas? Should I have Mitsuru-senpai check your room for yaoi manga?”

Junpei’s face twisted and Minato smirked, opening the door and slamming it behind him… and into Junpei’s face.

“You’re an ass, Minato!”

12/21/09

“Minato-sama, I am jus’ so worried. Do you think zis will work?”

Minato smiled sadly, nodding his head. “We can hope, right?”

Bebe smiled widely, the sheer innocence engulfing him nearly hurting Minato’s eyes. But though he was naïve, Bebe was far from stupid. His eyes were sad as he stared, bowing over his hands. “I do not know ‘ow long eet will take me to return, Minato-sama. Do you think you will remember me?”

“Of course I will.”

Tears welled in the boy’s eyes, and he straightened. “Yatta, I mustn’t be so gloomy for my Minato-sama!” Bebe clapped his hands together and nodded firmly. “My flight eez tomorrow. Arigatou, Minato-sama. You are ze best friend I have ever ‘ad. I will never forget you.”

The boy rushed up to hug him before leaving, smile planted firmly on his lips. Minato realized he was genuinely sad to lose him only as the boy walked away, pushing through the doors of the school and into the fading sunlight.

“Arisato? I didn’t expect you to be here still.”

Minato turned at the familiar voice, nodding. “Mitsuru-senpai.”

“Would you like to accompany me home? I was just heading back to the dorm. Student Council ran late tonight.”

He nodded and Mitsuru strode ahead of him, moving toward the shoe rack and quickly pulling off her loafers. Minato had removed his before saying goodbye to Bebe, so he leaned against the doors to wait.

Most students were already gone by now, but the ones who remained watched Mitsuru like she was some deity. They stared after her with wide eyes as she tossed her hair and slipped her heels into her shoes, shoulders back as she walked towards Minato. “I’m ready, Arisato.”

He wondered what it looked like as he held open the door for her. He heard harsh whispers about a prospective relationships between them as the door closed, one instance of Akihiko’s name heard clearly. He smiled faintly as he trailed behind Mitsuru, feeling a bit like a servant following a queen. Everything about Mitsuru was royal, from fighting Shadows to leaving school.

They reached Port Island Station and boarded the train, finding a seat without much trouble. Mitsuru smoothed her skirt. “I saw that you did well on your exams once more, Arisato. Congratulations.”

He shrugged a shoulder. “Thanks. It wasn’t hard.”

Her lips quirked in a smile as she looked out the window. “A lot of things seem easy for you, Arisato. Have you even felt a moment of trepidation about the choice we must make?”

He wondered how he should answer, but as usual honesty seemed the best course. “No. I have never for a moment thought I should kill Ryoji. I wouldn’t be able to do it, and I have faith that we can fight.”

He felt her eyes on him but didn’t turn. “You really are remarkable, you know. You effect everyone around you without even trying. I would ask you how you did it if I thought you knew.”

He didn’t think that required an answer, so he simply kept his eyes on the slowly sinking sun, feeling a bit uncomfortable. He remembered how he would have felt in such a situation the year before, the beautiful woman by his side on her own volition. He’d had a tremendous crush on her for months before they’d dated. Now, though… he looked to his side at the fine lines of her profile, feeling nothing but the warmth of friendship. It was amazing what a year could change. It was amazing what just a few months with Akihiko could change.

“Do you love him, Arisato?”

He jerked at that, turning to look at her with wide eyes. She wasn’t apologetic in the least and was obviously expecting an answer.

“I need to know. Akihiko is my closest friend, and I can’t stand to think he might be hurt by this. He’s quite naïve, you know. Fighting was the only thing he thought about for a long time; I’m surprised you were able to get him into any kind of a relationship. It’s been good for him, though. He has grown so much in this last year, and sometimes…”

Her eyes expressed her sadness, and if Minato hadn’t known better, he’d think she had some kind of romantic feelings for his boyfriend. He knew better, though, remembering a conversation from when they’d been dating. “You think he’s leaving you behind.”

She nodded curtly, suddenly unable to look up. “I do. I feel so stagnant. My father was saved by some twist of luck, and though that gave me so much strength… I am still terrified of all this. I do not know what to do about this Nyx, and I’m petrified. How are you so strong, Arisato? Does it take being close to you to siphon that strength? Is that why Akihiko has grown so exponentially in these last months?”

He stared at her, unable to look away even as she raised her eyes and locked them on him.

“I ask you again, Arisato… Minato. Do you love him?”

Lying wasn’t even an option, not with those serious eyes on him and that pleading tinge to her staid voice. “I do.”

“Then I know he is in good hands. Do not hurt him; he is far more fragile than you might think.”

The rest of the ride was in silence, Minato’s only thoughts revolving around the battle to come.

12/24/09

They didn’t bother to hide their joined hands as they meandered through the park, far enough from the dorms that they didn’t feel like they would be exposed. And even if by some chance someone from school saw them, Minato couldn’t bring himself to care. He didn’t have a lot of time left, and this was the first time in his memory that he’d been able to really enjoy Christmas Eve.

He and Akihiko had been walking in silence for near to an hour, simply enjoying the ambiance of a night that was meant for lovers. It was perfect so far as Minato was concerned.

Every so often one of them would become interested in something in the festively lit park, pulling the other unresisting towards it. Words had stopped being needed the moment they’d left the dorms, slipping past their friends in hopes that no one would notice their absences on a night that two people simply didn’t hang out together unless they were a couple. Though neither of them required some kind of romantic perfection like so many girls expected, it was nice to escape together on a night in which people were generally seen only with family and their significant others.

Akihiko’s quiet laughter came out in puffs of condensation as he moved them towards a sweets stand that advertised Christmas Cake at prices comparable to the next day’s, urging Minato with a tug to his hand. He hadn’t had Christmas Cake since his parents were alive, and he found himself a bit reluctant now as Akihiko broke their silence to thank the clerk and take a small cake.

“Come on, Minato. You have to have some. It’s tradition!”

Minato smiled and let his reservation slip away, reaching to take a bit of the cake and eating it. It was too sweet. He wasn’t overly fond of sweet things, but tradition was tradition. Akihiko seemed to have the same idea, as he grimaced after the first bite and they drifted towards a trash can.

Hands linked once more, they made their way towards the waterfront where many couples sat huddled and watching the lights of Port Island over the water. It was so sappy and cliché that it nearly hurt his teeth more than the cake had, but that thought didn’t stop him from moving at Akihiko’s side toward an outcropping of rocks on the water’s edge.

They sat for a long time in their easy silence, interlinked fingers breaking apart to make room as they huddled for warmth. Minato shivered at Akihiko’s side, moving a leg to lay over his boyfriends as he scooted closer.

“Cold?”

The break in the quiet made Minato flinch just a bit, not that he’d admit it. He hummed under his breath in response, hunching his shoulders.

Warm puffs on air on the back of his neck as Akihiko laughed, the arm that had been around his shoulders moving to stroke his hair. And then warmth was wrapped around his neck and ling fingers were tucking it in around his shoulders, into his jacket. Minato looked up with a raised eyebrow and got a smile in response. “We agreed not to exchange gifts, but that doesn’t stop me from giving you something of mine.”

The familiar red scarf was warm, matching Minato’s face as a blush stole over his cheeks. It was embarrassing, feeling so giddy over something so small. He felt like a girl if he was being honest, but he certainly wouldn’t admit that out loud. Akihiko’s arm again curled around his shoulder, pulling him close to his boyfriend as his eyes grew heavy.

“We should head back soon, right?”

Minato only nodded, not bothering to move just yet. If this was to be the culmination of their relationship… if this was what true contentment was, he would savor what was likely to be his only chance for it.

Akihiko’s nose was cold as he pressed it into Minato’s hair, arms tightening around him. “I… umm, well, you know.”

And Minato did.

12/31/09

“It won’t change, Minato. You’re making a huge mistake and you will pay for it with your life once more. Won’t you please reconsider? Don’t you have things to live for this time?”

Confused mutterings broke out behind him. Minato kept his back to them with his eyes locked on Ryoji’s, taking a deep breath. “No, I won’t recon--”

He was spun around before the words were out of his mouth, staring into furious silver eyes. Akihiko’s hands were clamped on his shoulders. “Tell me he’s lying.”

Minato could do nothing but look away, closing his eyes.

Akihiko shook him hard, and Minato fought not to look up at him. “Tell me, Minato! Tell me that you weren’t sent back because you died!”

Minato didn’t have to look at the group seated around the lounge to feel their confusion. He finally lifted his eyes to Akihiko, trying to convey his apology. “I didn’t tell you because it can’t be changed. I’m sorry.”

The punch was not unexpected, but it served as a painful reminder of his boyfriend’s training. His head snapped to the side with the force. “You idiot! How could you keep something like this from me… from us? Aren’t we your teammates? Did you not stop for a minute to think of how it would affect us if you died?!”

“You don’t understand, Akihiko. What choice do I have?”

“What choice? How about living?”

“That isn’t an op--”

“Do you not care at all, you son of a bitch?!”

That was a new voice in the conversation. Minato turned his eyes to Junpei, who had stood from his seat on the end chair and was glaring mulishly at Minato, upper lip lifted in a snarl. Minato returned the dark look. “Stay out of this.”

“I don’t know what the fuck is going on, but I do get that this has to do with you dying and knowing you were gonna. Didn’t you think that might have been something you needed to tell us? We’re your friends, damnit, don’t you give a damn about us? And what about senpai, huh?!”

Minato’s hackles rose and he shoved Akihiko’s hands off his shoulders, spinning and taking a few steps toward Junpei. “Don’t you dare…”

“Don’t what, bring him into it? Fuck, somebody’s gotta! You sure as hell haven’t been. Don’t you fucking love him at all, you asshole? Look at him!”

Minato didn’t. He was pulled taut and furious, likely the only display of real temper any of the group had ever seen from him. “Don’t you dare question whether or not I love him! Don’t you get it, you moron? I’m doing this for him! For him, for you, for everyone in this room! It is a choice between me dying or all of us… what the hell do you want me to choose?!”

“And you didn’t think we should all get a say in this?”

“I couldn’t care less! You mean enough to me that I don’t give a flying fuck what you think. I’ll do what is best. Even if you don’t understand, I will make sure you survive!”

He hadn’t cried since he was a kid, and though frustration left a burning at the back of his eyes, he sure as hell wasn’t about to start now. Arms wrapped around him from behind, and the pressure on the back of his neck and the slightly shaking breaths on the nape made him bring up his hands to clamp on Akihiko’s forearms.

“Even if none of you understand what’s happening, I am doing this for you. If there was another way I’d take it, but there isn’t. The end.”

The silence was thick. He turned blue eyes to each person in turn, reading the various states of confusion, anger, and shock in their gazes. He wondered how much of it was the damning revelations of his death and how much was the way Akihiko clung to him, but he hoped the former was a little more important.

“I think,” Mitsuru said, her voice calm and rational as always, “that we need to know everything.” Her stare was stern and he remembered her and Shinji’s threats of grievous pain if he ever hurt their friend.

He swallowed and shook his head. “Do I have a choice?”

He untangled Akihiko’s arms from around him, tugging on one of his wrists towards the couch. His boyfriend followed with down turned eyes, anger still simmering in the tense movements of his body. When he sat beside Minato he crooked a finger through a belt loop on Minato’s pants, as if he thought he would run or something. He adjusted himself to lean against Akihiko’s shoulder, trying to give some kind of comfort.

He didn’t really care that their relationship was out in the open now. The look Yukari was giving him was a bit unsettling, but it had been Akihiko’s decision to keep things about them quiet. He certainly wouldn’t be making out in the dorm’s common areas, and he’d sooner replace his Evoker with a real gun before actually giving in to Junpei’s pleading inquisitions into his sex life, but he didn’t care if it was known that they were sleeping together.

Well, if they’d actually put that much together, anyway.

With so many expectant gazes on him, he started at the beginning of his story. It was much condensed compared to the version he’d eventually spilt to Akihiko, but it was still more words in a single sitting than he’d spoken in the last couple of months combined. As he moved towards the end, Akihiko’s hand was a vice on his knee that was tightening with every sentence until he hissed in pain and pried it off.

“I don’t remember dying. The last thing I recall was being tired and talking with Aigis, and the sound of you all coming to the rooftop to meet us. I remember the sound of laughter. The next thing I knew, Ryoji was waking me and informing me that I had died and was being given a second chance.” He shrugged and frowned. “I’ve just tried to do my best since.”

“Shinjiro died?” Mitsuru said. She was pale.

“Yes. As did your father and Chidori.”

Junpei had long since sat down, looking at his hands. “Why didn’t you just stop me from meeting Chidori if you knew?” Surprisingly, his voice wasn’t accusing. Minato wondered how harsh he would have been had the girl actually died.

“Would you have wanted me to?”

A faint smile. “No. Thank you.”

“There has to be a way.” Yukari looked up with watering eyes and a quivering chin. “We can’t just let you die without a fight, you know.”

“No. We can’t,” Akihiko growled hoarsely, and Minato turned to him with sad eyes. Akihiko met his gaze and held it. “I won’t let you.”

“Do you see, Minato? You have people who want you to live.” Ryoji was infuriatingly calm, small smile tilting his lips.

“And what difference would it make if I chose to kill you? We would simply all die on that day. Leave, Ryoji.”

The boy’s eyes were sad, pained. But he smiled on. “As you wish.”

Much of him wished he could call out to Ryoji, tell him to come back and reassure him of the why and how of the situation. But the rest of him knew it would do no good… and knew it was hopeless to even believe in such fairytales as a happily ever after. Things for Ryoji would not be fine no matter what the outcome was. He would lose all he was within the hour. The thought hurt.

Ryoji turned as he reached the door, meeting Minato’s eyes one last time. “I’ll miss you all.”

Minato tried to convey all he couldn’t bring himself to say, a slight nod dipping his head as the door clicked shut. It felt like a funeral bell and it hurt more than he could express.

He only realized he was shaking when Akihiko pulled him to his feet, arm around his waist supporting him. “I’m taking him to bed. We will have to discuss this once it all sets in, got it?”

There was a hint of Shinjiro’s gruffness behind Akihiko’s voice, and had this been any other day Minato might have teased him for it. But as it was he just hung there in his boyfriend’s arms, eyes drooping with an exhaustion that was comparable to what he’d felt before his death, a bone-deep weariness that made his muscles hum with tension.

As they worked their way up the stairs, Minato trying his damndest to actually help Akihiko as he stepped, he became aware of the litany Akihiko whispered, lips barely moving as he chanted again and again, “I can’t lose him, please don’t make me lose him…”

The burning behind his eyes was back, multiplied by every shuddering hitch in Akihiko's breathing. And as Akihiko eased him back onto his bed, covering him quickly and seizing his mouth, Minato refused to acknowledge the dampness that made his eyelashes stick together in clumps, or the way Akihiko had to press the heels of his hands to his eyes before continuing.

He refused to acknowledge because acknowlegement meant reality, and he couldn't allow this pain to be any more real than it was.

A/N: Any typos or problems with characterizations that you want to report? I'd love to hear it. I'd also love to hear anything from you at all. Thank you for reading. :) One more chapter.