swordfucker: (152)
Guren Ichinose ([personal profile] swordfucker) wrote2018-03-10 06:49 pm

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Guren Ichinose | Red | #A5211F

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messianic: (are a-one in death:)

[personal profile] messianic 2018-04-09 03:51 am (UTC)(link)
[Yeah. Haha.

Okay no, Minato doesn't laugh, but on the other hand, he's not really the sort to...ever. So. It's fine. He just tucks his hands into his pockets, tilting his head a little.]


... Yeah, I heard a bit more.

[In truth, Ryoji was the first person he checked on, but he didn't know Guren was with Ryoji until Guren brought Ryoji up.

So, really, the first thing he has to do is bow his head.]


Thank you for looking after Ryoji.

[That's something that's incredibly important to him--because Ryoji deserves so much more than more pain.]
messianic: (And your bright Promise)

[personal profile] messianic 2018-04-09 05:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's... complicated, Guren.

But Minato just straightens a little, expression...contemplative.]


... For a little while, we were. But we've known each other a long time, in a way.

[#complicated.]

But Ryoji's still here, and he's still himself. So that's...why I'm thanking you. [Guren looked after him enough for that to be the case, and Minato is grateful.]
messianic: (A merciful putting away of what has been)

[personal profile] messianic 2018-04-09 09:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[You are not wrong in any sort of way, but...

Minato will deal with Ryoji, and helping him through things as much as possible. As for Guren, though...]


You take your duty really seriously, don't you? Not just...as lieutenant colonel, either, but...by all of us, too.
messianic: (Death be not proud)

[personal profile] messianic 2018-04-09 10:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[... Oh.

For Minato, an orphan, shunted around from place to place because he was unwanted his whole life, being told something like that is...well, it's big. He's quiet for a long moment, as if processing that--and then his lips curve upwards in a small, tired smile.

Guren's sincere, isn't he? He's that sort of person, that he would consider them all family just like this, and want to protect them just as much.

But that means...]


Do you mean that? That we're all family?

[Because that scowl... Guren's struggling even now, and for Minato--]

Because if that's true... then shouldn't it go both ways? You want to protect and take care of us, but...we want to take care of you, too.
messianic: (and quench my breath)

[personal profile] messianic 2018-04-09 11:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[... It's definitely impossible to ignore. Something is going on here, and Minato is no stranger to extra things in his head, but usually he doesn't have to tell his Personas to shut up.

... And yet Guren is so fierce, so certain when he says things like that, and...]


I believe you. And... I'm grateful for it.

[Minato says that softly, chin lifted to meet Guren's eyes. He believes Guren when he says they're all family, but...]

But you're still trying to take everything on your own shoulders. Even if those small things help...

[It's not really enough, is it?]

You still try so hard to stand all on your own.
messianic: (in the face of darkness.)

[personal profile] messianic 2018-04-10 12:06 am (UTC)(link)
[Minato can't say that Guren should open up out of the blue, really--it'd make him a hypocrite, because he doesn't really open up at all. Not on purpose, but because that's just the life he's used to living.

And he won't ask for Guren to change the way he is, the way he copes with things--nothing like that. That wouldn't be fair either.

But even so...there's one thing he can ask for. And he tucks his hands in his pockets quietly, meeting Guren's eyes, and:]


... Just admit it, when you're not completely okay. You don't...have to say why. Or what's bothering you, or talk about it.

But... you don't have to say you're "fine" when you're not, too. Isn't that just taking on even more burdens...when your family wants to support you?

[It's a lot easier for them to be there for Guren if he'll admit he's not 100% okay--even if it's just things like the music or the apples.]
messianic: (They use that power against me)

[personal profile] messianic 2018-04-10 01:42 am (UTC)(link)
[It's a point that's made, sure. Minato hadn't thought about it that way--and he can see the point Guren's making. He could've hidden things better, but he chose not to. In a way, then, was that really his way of saying he wasn't entirely fine...?

(Still, not being able to say anything but "I'm fine" feels terribly sad to him.)

Minato's always known when to compromise.

Now's one of those times, and quietly, he nods.]


... I guess I didn't completely get it, but now I think I understand a little better. [And he's grateful for that, especially. Understanding people, piece by piece... that's something that's made his own life have some sort of worth and meaning.]

In that case... I think that's all I can ask for. [For Guren to keep reaching out in those small ways, when things are overwhelming.] And I'll just have to keep being a pest, regardless.

[He's only joking a little, honestly.]
messianic: (of plaintive sweetness)

[personal profile] messianic 2018-04-10 03:11 am (UTC)(link)
[There's a lot there to unpack that Minato still doesn't know or understand, of course--but the best he can do is to keep trying to understand Guren, day after day.

Maybe someday, it'll be enough.

The affectionate teasing, at least, gets a soft snort out of Minato.]


...Yeah, I think I am. [It's his only real saving grace, his refusal to give up on people. Over and over again, that's...his real virtue.]

But you know... since that's how it's going to be... [With Guren always saying he's fine--] I guess I'll just have to always check up on you.

[Even if Guren really is fine, every single situation...that's the best way for him to be sure for himself that it's true (or not), right?]
messianic: (As man's hope of light)

[personal profile] messianic 2018-04-10 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah.

[He won't deny that when it's obviously true? He's that kind of person.

But also, like:]


But I can check on them and check on you. It doesn't have to be one or the other, so I'm choosing to do both.

[This is how he lives his life.]
messianic: (on my way home)

[personal profile] messianic 2018-04-10 06:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[... Hm.

Maybe this would seem stranger if Minato was someone without multiple pieces of his psyche floating around in his head, but... right now, he's starting to wonder.

Guren isn't even really looking at him.]


... Ichinose-san... [Hm.] I know this might sound weird, but... is there someone else there?
messianic: (time means succession)

[personal profile] messianic 2018-04-10 10:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[... Ah.

Minato nods quietly, automatically agreeing--of course he won't tell anyone--but...]


It talks to you?
messianic: (with rustling shade)

[personal profile] messianic 2018-04-11 08:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[That's a lot. It's a lot to process, but what he's really taking away from this is:]

So... does that mean she's trying to tempt you all the time?

[Is Guren dealing with this burden all the time, every single day, every minute, over and over and over again?

That sounds exhausting.]
messianic: (not a famous-last-words)

[personal profile] messianic 2018-04-12 05:02 am (UTC)(link)
[Minato just shakes his head at that, expression a little rueful. Even now, Guren...

That's not at all what he's concerned about.]


I'm not worried about you losing control, Ichinose-san.

[... He tilts his head.]

But... it sounds really exhausting. That's what I'm worried about.

[Minato has faith in people. He definitely has faith in Guren, who has been nothing but impressive this entire time. He's not worried Guren will lose control, he's just worried about Guren.]

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