[As far as Minato is aware, girlfriends (and presumably boyfriends) only get upset if you ditch them for someone else. If you don't ditch them, they don't get upset. Right?]
... So you were gonna take me and somebody else out at the same time?
[He can feel himself getting jealous, but at the same time, it's almost... ludicrous? Minato is so innocent about this that it's making him want to laugh.]
Okay. I know you legitimately don't get this, so I'm... going to try to explain.
In a regular relationship like ours, there's two people. It's a partnership. We each try our best to make the other person happy, and we respect each other. Exclusivity is usually the way.
If you're not into that, that's okay, I just... would like to know about it?
[Minato is suddenly aware that he's not sure any of his girlfriends at home ever knew about each other, not really, not as truly romantic relationships. Except Aigis, of course, but she was a robot and as close as they were, there's certain limitations on romance from that. It's not like she or Elizabeth cared if he was seeing other girls, either, and it had never come up with the rest...
On the heels of that thought, he realizes it seems like he's hurt Riku, which he hadn't realized would be the consequence of this at all.
He hesitates, not used to dealing with a reversed social link when he actually cared about the outcome. Except, it didn't seem all that reversed. Riku was certainly acting calm about it-- he was remarkably patient.]
I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I didn't realize. Are you really okay with it? [he wonders.] I'm... not sure what I'll do if you aren't, but...
[He thinks for a second, finding words.] It's not like that. [It's not a defensive protest; Minato's merely laying it out.] I... was alone for a long time, mostly because I wanted to be. But I guess I'm still not used to having someone to tell things.
[Closemouthed is a light word for Minato.
He knows this isn't an entire explanation, and continues,] It's not about needing someone. [Despite his desire to explain, he nonetheless struggles to find words for it. Directly discussing his feelings is not a comfortable thing for him.] What I feel for someone doesn't diminish or change how I feel for someone else. If they need me, I want to be close to them.
[A beat, before he adds,] I really wasn't thinking of this TV show very seriously. [But he can't deny that if Elizabeth showed up again, or Aigis or Yukari or Mitsuru, he wouldn't be able to just abandon them.]
[Minato heads out straight off, though Riku probably beats him there; getting to the Porter and then from it in Heropa takes some time, after all. It's a good time for a talk on the beach, which is why he'd thought of it. Early evening has cast gleaming orange light across the expanse of sand, and in late August in Florida the air is warm and pleasant, the salt breeze coming off the ocean a relief. Minato picks his way across the sand, stretched out in an unbroken line as far as he can see in either direction. He hasn't bothered to take off his boots, and looks overdressed for the locale.
His only nod to where they are is the towel tucked under his arm, which he intends to spread out for them to sit on and look out over the waves as they talk.
Minato raises a hand to wave as he crests a dune and sees Riku. The rest of the beach is abandoned with the encroaching darkness, just a few groups packing up to leave. He's spent the time traveling thinking of what Riku had said, trying to piece it together, and isn't sure he's arrived at any answers.
But... maybe that's okay. They'll figure out how to handle this together.]
[Riku does beat him there, naturally. He's dressed totally differently, mostly because he lives in Heropa and it's hot there all the time. When Minato arrives he's sitting quietly on a rock, drawing designs in the sand with a stick. There's a few seagulls floating in the water nearby, and he's doodled one of them, too.
When he sees his boyfriend he smiles quietly, setting down the stick and standing to meet him. He's been thinking too, of course. Most of him has come to terms with what they've already said, the note of jealousy and panic he felt when he saw Minato's post more or less gone.]
[Minato comes right up to him and takes his hand in his without comment on it. He's pretty good at nonverbal displays, since the verbal ones are so hard for him.]
Ah... maybe a little. I didn't think about it; I was distracted.
[He leaves the statement there, unrushed and letting Riku direct things.]
[That much he can understand completely. Minato is reminded of his own fears, the ones that had led him to be reluctant to eliminate the Dark Hour. Without Shadows, would the only friends he'd ever known leave him behind?
But Jaime-kun was right: friendship doesn't go away just because the reason it began does.]
I'm sorry, too, [he apologizes again.] Maybe I should explain... but... [Minato looks for words while his gaze drifts out across the sea. It's easier when he's not looking directly at him to admit something like this.] It's new for me, to have people to care about. Even a few months ago, I wouldn't have understood it.
She's never had... the opportunity, I guess. [Riku considers, trying to weigh what he knows about Xion with what she'd be comfortable with a total stranger knowing.]
It's not my place to share the details with you, but she was a creation. She was alive for maybe a year back home, and in that time she had friends, but it wasn't... a regular setting at all. Here, she's got a better chance.
It reminds me of Aigis. A... very good friend of mine. She's a robot, and was created to fight Shadows.
But over time, she became human. She learned how to empathize with others. [A breath of silence before he confesses softly,] Sometimes I used to think she was better at it than I was.
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... I mean, you can do what you like. But... you already have a date, Minato. It's me.
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[As far as Minato is aware, girlfriends (and presumably boyfriends) only get upset if you ditch them for someone else. If you don't ditch them, they don't get upset. Right?]
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[He can feel himself getting jealous, but at the same time, it's almost... ludicrous? Minato is so innocent about this that it's making him want to laugh.]
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[Some amount of jealousy is probably inevitable (and understandable), but Minato will need it explained in small words.]
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Okay. I know you legitimately don't get this, so I'm... going to try to explain.
In a regular relationship like ours, there's two people. It's a partnership. We each try our best to make the other person happy, and we respect each other. Exclusivity is usually the way.
If you're not into that, that's okay, I just... would like to know about it?
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On the heels of that thought, he realizes it seems like he's hurt Riku, which he hadn't realized would be the consequence of this at all.
He hesitates, not used to dealing with a reversed social link when he actually cared about the outcome. Except, it didn't seem all that reversed. Riku was certainly acting calm about it-- he was remarkably patient.]
I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I didn't realize. Are you really okay with it? [he wonders.] I'm... not sure what I'll do if you aren't, but...
You shouldn't pretend for me.
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Well, it's not like it's a serious thing anyway, I guess. If you want to do your charity donation thing, I'm okay with that.
I'd just... for me, it's only you. If you need more than me, then...
[He lets out a breath, tries to come up with how he wants to say this.]
I want you to be happy, too.
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[Closemouthed is a light word for Minato.
He knows this isn't an entire explanation, and continues,] It's not about needing someone. [Despite his desire to explain, he nonetheless struggles to find words for it. Directly discussing his feelings is not a comfortable thing for him.] What I feel for someone doesn't diminish or change how I feel for someone else. If they need me, I want to be close to them.
[A beat, before he adds,] I really wasn't thinking of this TV show very seriously. [But he can't deny that if Elizabeth showed up again, or Aigis or Yukari or Mitsuru, he wouldn't be able to just abandon them.]
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[He considers, then opens his mouth again.]
Can I... come and see you? Talk properly.
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I'll... try to explain things from my perspective a little better. ... See you in a bit?
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[Minato heads out straight off, though Riku probably beats him there; getting to the Porter and then from it in Heropa takes some time, after all. It's a good time for a talk on the beach, which is why he'd thought of it. Early evening has cast gleaming orange light across the expanse of sand, and in late August in Florida the air is warm and pleasant, the salt breeze coming off the ocean a relief. Minato picks his way across the sand, stretched out in an unbroken line as far as he can see in either direction. He hasn't bothered to take off his boots, and looks overdressed for the locale.
His only nod to where they are is the towel tucked under his arm, which he intends to spread out for them to sit on and look out over the waves as they talk.
Minato raises a hand to wave as he crests a dune and sees Riku. The rest of the beach is abandoned with the encroaching darkness, just a few groups packing up to leave. He's spent the time traveling thinking of what Riku had said, trying to piece it together, and isn't sure he's arrived at any answers.
But... maybe that's okay. They'll figure out how to handle this together.]
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When he sees his boyfriend he smiles quietly, setting down the stick and standing to meet him. He's been thinking too, of course. Most of him has come to terms with what they've already said, the note of jealousy and panic he felt when he saw Minato's post more or less gone.]
Hey. Aren't you warm?
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Ah... maybe a little. I didn't think about it; I was distracted.
[He leaves the statement there, unrushed and letting Riku direct things.]
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I guess you were. I'm sorry I confused you. [He frowns. How to put this?] It just... I felt like I was... being left behind.
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But Jaime-kun was right: friendship doesn't go away just because the reason it began does.]
I'm sorry, too, [he apologizes again.] Maybe I should explain... but... [Minato looks for words while his gaze drifts out across the sea. It's easier when he's not looking directly at him to admit something like this.] It's new for me, to have people to care about. Even a few months ago, I wouldn't have understood it.
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Okay. I can understand that. There's a girl I know from my world who... doesn't always get it, either.
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It's not my place to share the details with you, but she was a creation. She was alive for maybe a year back home, and in that time she had friends, but it wasn't... a regular setting at all. Here, she's got a better chance.
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But over time, she became human. She learned how to empathize with others. [A breath of silence before he confesses softly,] Sometimes I used to think she was better at it than I was.
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[Riku shakes his head, then leans it quietly on Minato's shoulder.]
You do fine. At least, I think so.
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... Or you're just patient.
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I'm the opposite of patient, generally.
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Really? So I'm the exception?
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[He shrugs, sitting back up to make proper eye contact.]
You aren't... frustrating or anything.
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