Birds of a Feather

[evocalize]

See you later, Ryoji-san. [Ryoji had already been told that he could stay longer as long as he went home at night, and they'd capitalized on that to talk about everything underneath the sun: Girls, school and so on were the main topics although they'd also shared a joke here and there. Minato was supposed to see him off, but it was his turn to shower and he'd left to take a quick bath-

Only to return in his bedclothes with his hair a little damp and feeling sleepy, stifling a yawn as he opens the door and blinking in surprise when he sees Ryoji lying on his bed. He walks over to the railing to place his towel before kneeling down to look at his friend and shake him gently.] ...are you alright?

Comments

[evocalize]

[That would certainly explain a lot...Minato minds his own cup for a while, taking his tea without any sugar, but he does speak up once they're both done with their drinks.]

Do you usually take that much sugar at home too?

[notsogrimreaper]

Heh, sometimes. I just like my tea to be sweet. Is that bad?

[He blows on the tea and then takes a long sip, sighing happily. Deep down, he knows it’s unhealthy, but it just tastes too good this way to give up.]

[evocalize]

Not at all. [It's unfortunately in Minato's nature to enable his friends a little, but he does trust Ryoji to not overdo the sugar too. He blows on his tea a little longer before sipping on it, smiling contentedly afterwards.] You should try to avoid that after dinner though. [His tone is light, as if they're talking about something other than Ryoji's sleeping habits.]

[notsogrimreaper]

Ah… that’s probably a good point. I’ll try to lay off the caffeine before bed from now on. I didn’t mean to cause you trouble, Minato-kun.

[He’s still smiling, but it’s a little strained. He sets his cup down and stirs the liquid thoughtfully.]

[evocalize]

[Minato would normally be a little more careful about asking this, but given what Ryoji had done last night he'd rather not let something like this go unnoticed.] It's alright with me. I'm just concerned that it might be something else...I won't ask too much, but I'll listen to you if there's something you need to say.

[notsogrimreaper]

Um… well…

[He wasn’t thinking about this much, but there is more of a reason for his insomnia besides sugar.]

Tell me, Minato-kun… how do you deal with nightmares?

[evocalize]

[Minato's used to nightmares, so it doesn't take him long to respond.] I try to relax before I sleep. A warm shower helps, and I've heard that a glass of hot milk might help you to sleep sooner. [There is something curiously dry in the way he says it though, and that's because Minato knows the subject of the nightmare is likely more important than the lack of sleep itself.] What do you dream of, Ryoji-san?

[notsogrimreaper]

Relaxing… That’s a good answer, but I’m not even sure if I can relax some nights.

[Ryoji gazes down into the liquid, reflecting on the last month. He didn’t want to get into everything, but the words start coming out, slowly.]

I don’t usually dream, because I don’t usually sleep. At night, I get… scared. Terrified and panicked for some reason. I start worrying about my friends and the city and the whole world and I feel like I can’t cope. I tell myself it’s all my fault… but I don’t know what happened, and why it’s my fault.

...When I do sleep, I have nightmares. I don’t remember much of them but… I know I see blood, and coffins…

[And the bodies of his friends surrounding him…]

[evocalize]

Blood and coffins? [Minato knows immediately that it's not a good sign, but he can't panic just yet and restrains himself from saying anything rash.] ...How long has this been happening?

[notsogrimreaper]

Well… I don’t know for sure. It’s definitely been going on since I got here, but I feel like I can remember some of the same nightmares even before that.

[evocalize]

[That's concerning for sure, and now Minato's worried about what may come. It's also a delicate subject though, and he considers if it will be worth reporting to Mitsuru...after all, it's not as if they'd detain Ryoji just for having nightmares.]

I see. I've read that dreams are a sign that something's coming, but they're usually symbolic too- what you see there might not come true, but I'd like to know if it changes. Would that be alright with you?

[notsogrimreaper]

I… I guess that’s alright. I don’t think they’re really predicting the future though. That would be pretty scary, right?

[He chuckles softly, but his smile is pained. Worrying about what the dreams mean is something that he’s done a lot, and the idea that they may be a prophecy of the future… he definitely doesn’t want to believe it, but there’s part of him that insists it’s true.]

Should I just keep a journal or something?

[evocalize]

Yeah, but not everything has to come true. [After all, didn't he know it himself? Having resigned himself to an empty life only to find meaning and purpose now, Minato's resolved to not let the future go.]

It'd be great if you could do that, but try not to take it too seriously. You can always talk to me too.

[notsogrimreaper]

I don’t know if I want even part of it to come true…

[He laughs nervously before looking away. He can’t keep still… he’s shaking and his heart is pounding.]

I… I don’t know if I should bother you with my problems. They’re just some strange nightmares, after all. They don’t mean anything.

[evocalize]

Please don't say that, Ryoji-san. [Minato's expression becomes somber and he walks closer to his friend and stops there, eyes level with Ryoji's own.]

Even if those dreams don't mean anything, they're still frightening you, aren't they? I don't want you to face it alone.

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji doesn’t back away, though it looks clear that if he could, he would run. He tries to keep smiling, but the fake cheer is rapidly fading.]

I-It’s okay. No one should have to face them but me. They’re my own stupid thoughts, so I should be the one to deal with them.

[evocalize]

[Hearing Ryoji say that about his thoughts makes Minato feel extremely uncomfortable and given what he's said about those dreams and what he might do if he thought those visions could happen, it just doesn't add up to a pretty picture.

He's definitely angry in some way right now even if he doesn't know why, looking fiercely at Ryoji as Ryoji continues to try and smile.]

They're not just stupid thoughts, not when they're hurting you like this.

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji tries to wave off his concern with a chuckle. it’s shocking that Minato cares this much about some nightmares… about the fact that Ryoji is having some nightmares. Was it really worth getting so worked up over?]

It’s really okay. Y-You don’t need to be upset… I’m not physically hurt or anything. I always remember they’re just dreams soon enough.

[Even if they still worry him, it’s nothing.]

[evocalize]

[Minato's still very bothered by Ryoji's attempt to play off his dreams but he does apologize and pull back, knowing that losing his cool won't help anyone.]

I'm worried about you. I've had dreams like that before and it never felt good afterwards...I don't want you to feel that way too.

[notsogrimreaper]

You… you’ve had similar dreams?

[Now instead of focusing on his own troubles, Ryoji is instead worrying over Minato, taking his hands and squeezing tightly.]

What were they like? Are you okay?

[evocalize]

They were frightening at first, but I got used to it. [His expression remains blank as he grasps Ryoji's fingers and squeezes back, hoping that he'll be able to feel more comfortable with this revelation.]

I'm okay now, but...it's not something you should go through alone, Ryoji. [His voice is soft but it's insistent all the same- he won't let what happened to him happen to anyone else he knows and cares for.]

[notsogrimreaper]

I… I guess not. It’s not fair that you’re going to help me through something I never got to support you through, though.

[He frowns and lifts Minato’s hand so he can hold it between both of his hands.]

Is it… really that bad? I mean, why am I having nightmares like yours?

[evocalize]

It's alright, you weren't there at that time. [Minato sighs as Ryoji holds his hand but he doesn't pull back, finding it relieving that his friend is starting to be more interested in this dream.]

I don't know why you're having the same nightmares now, but it's really something that you shouldn't ignore. ...let's just say that I have a bad feeling about it, dream or not.

[notsogrimreaper]

Well… I guess if you think I shouldn’t ignore it, it wouldn’t hurt to record what I remember and see if we can figure anything out.

[Ryoji smiles softly. Holding Minato’s hand makes him feel a lot safer, even when they’re discussing a serious topic.]

[evocalize]

[Minato smiles as well when he sees that Ryoji's more at ease now than he was before.]

That's right. I'll be here for you whenever you need to talk about your nightmares- it'll make me feel better too to know that you're getting help for it.