IC Contact Post

[dormition]

You've reached the voicemail box of -- Arisato Minato. Please leave a message after the tone.


voice . text . email . in person

Comments

[dormition]

I didn't realize you worked at a dentist's office, Jaime-kun.

I'll try. I noticed that he had a bruise, but I didn't want to push. Maybe I should have... I don't want him to think I don't trust him, but as his guardian I need to look out for him. Figuring out how this works... it's complicated.

[khajidont]

Probably not for much longer but yeah I've worked there since I got here.

I dunno I don't think anyone could expect you to be able to totally take over overnight. Kinda hard balancing how hard to push so he'll tell you, but when to ease off so he doesn't just hide everything from that point on

[dormition]

[Minato finds it obscurely reassuring that Jaime thinks it's a tricky situation, too, and wonders when Jaime became his standard for normalcy.]

Yeah, I don't want to take over at all, really... I just don't want him to have to deal with everything alone. It's hard to tell how this works. I was never close with my guardians.

[khajidont]

My parents would have really pushed but this is different. You're more like a big brother than you are his dad or whatever

I dunno if there's a certain way this works. It might just be trial and error

[dormition]

[Minato's glad this is in text, because his discomfort over the analogy to family is easy to hide this way. The association is immediate and obvious, but that doesn't mean he (or Ken) are willing to bring it up.] I don't know how being a big brother works, either...

Should I act like Akihiko?

[Don't ask about Akihiko's little sister, Jaime, even though this is an obvious lead in. Just don't.]

[khajidont]

Why would you act like Akihiko?

[S-SORRY...]

[dormition]

You and him are the only older brothers I'm friends with.

[khajidont]

I never knew he's a big brother too. Man he must have been relieved that no time passes at home while we're here huh?

[dormition]

Well... she's been dead for a long time. But Akihiko-senpai still acts like a brother, doesn't he?

[khajidont]

Oh geez. I'm sorry I didn't know.

[DAMN IT, SEES...!]

I dunno if there's any one way to act like a brother. I'd have to see him with Ken I guess

[dormition]

It's okay. It's better for me to tell you these things than anyone else.

I don't know... You act like a brother, too.

[khajidont]

Around the younger kids maybe I still do? I've got a little sister back home. I think I've told you about her before

[dormition]

Yes. But I mean that you want to protect everyone. So does Akihiko.

[khajidont]

[...is it that obvious?]

If that's what it takes then you're well on your way on being a good brother too

[dormition]

[Minato doesn't have to know about the Blue Beetle to recognize a kindred spirit.]

I guess that's true. You got me. Although, we're not family.

[khajidont]

You don't have to actually be related to be family though. For things like you and Ken, that helps.

[dormition]

I don't think either of us will ever be comfortable thinking of it that way. But I do want to look after him.

[khajidont]

No one way you have to think of it. Besides, it's not like you're alone in wanting to take care of him. Any place you don't feel like you've got downpat the rest of us can help with

[dormition]

Thank you. Most of the time he doesn't need it, despite his age, but that doesn't mean never.

[khajidont]

Most of the time people of every age need more than one person for support. Ken's just got a little more going on than most people

[dormition]

We're lucky we have you around, Jaime-kun. The previous me had good taste in friends.