mineo

[dotcom]

Comments

[dotcom]

No, it doesn't matter.

[ he sounds very firm about this, and he takes a long sip of his coffee. ]

More importantly, you were going to bite me.

[sengokus]

I - really don't think that's more important...!

[BUT IT'S HARD TO SAY IF THAT'S BC HE'S EMBARRASSED OR IF HE'S WORRIED ABOUT TAKERU'S FEELINGS]

[dotcom]

You're not allowed.

[ HE JUST

SHOOTS THAT IDEA DOWN ]

[sengokus]

Why do you bring it up just to tell me no?!

[dotcom]

It's better for you to know before you even try.

[sengokus]

[he just makes a face]

You left so many on me.....

[he's just. given up on buttoning up anymore because hiding it went so poorly last time so he just rubs at his neck with his free hand, embarrassed]

[dotcom]

You were pissing me off.

[ it's said in a tone like he's stating a fact. ]

Don't think anything of it.

[sengokus]

[ . . . ? raising his brows as he sips his tea]

What do you mean?

[dotcom]

[ oh my god mineo, you're supposed to immediately understand what he means so he doesn't have to explain. ]

Don't get weird.

[sengokus]

[ . . . . . ]

You—

No.... We can't be having this conversation... Am I dreaming?

[IS TAKERU TRYING TO TELL HIM NOT TO CATCH FEELINGS]

[dotcom]

You can leave.

[ he has decided he no longer wants to see mineo. ]

[sengokus]

Shut up, I just - didn't think you'd tell me that.

[????]

Erm.

No, I don't think you'll have to worry about that? Even I know to separate indulgences from feelings....

[as much as he can, anyway. it is a sign of trust that he'll let takeru do anything to him at all but he doesn't think it'll lead to those feelings getting worse. the affinity between the two kind of just goes in one direction rather than both generating trust.]

[dotcom]

[ it's not something he wants to deal with, and he'd rather be blunt about this kind of thing instead of dancing around the topic. ]

Good. Then that's all.

[sengokus]

[he still looks confused, a little surprised that they had this conversation at all but... he nods.]

I just said I'd help you, and I'm not taking that back.

We're partners, right?

[dotcom]

You're also not allowed to admit the marks are from me.

[ he just skips entirely over what mineo just asked to switch to something else entirely. ]

[sengokus]

[oh my god]

I knew that already! I finally got questioned about it and knew I'd be in way too much trouble if I told the truth...!!

Now answer at least one of my questions!

[dotcom]

I mean it. If even one person brings it up to me I'm beating the shit out of you.

[ he huffs. ]

I don't need others getting weird ideas.

[sengokus]

[he's rolling his eyes at that even as he shifts from the arm of the couch onto the couch. apparently he no longer feels like he's going to leave at any moment]

Do you know how many people say we're friends?

Which we are and you don't want to admit it, but I at least tell them not to say it too loudly because I know you hate it?

[MINEO GENUINELY TRIES TO KEEP TAKERU FROM BEING IN A WORSE MOOD AND YET]

It's not like I go out of my way to annoy you!

[dotcom]

And whose fault is that?! Yours, by the way.

[ he takes an angry sip of the coffee. ]

Actually, you can stop saying that I can't take people in a fight. Do you want people to see me as an easy target?

[ APPARENTLY HE'S

BEEN MAD ABOUT MINEO SAYING THAT TAKERU COULD HAVE NEVER TAKEN ON GRELL ]

[sengokus]

Why is it my fault?! I haven't done anything! I just say the same things as I do back home!

[but he just frowns at that and grumbles]

That wasn't what I meant to do, but it's also true. [HE INVALIDATED BOTH TAKERU AND LUCA INSTANTLY] But we've been practicing just in case that happens anyway.

[but he can admit that it's better to not be seen as a target at all rather than underestimated so after another second he frowns deeper]

.... sorry.

[dotcom]

I'll deal with it.

[ he goes quiet, but he's still obviously annoyed.

... but when he talks again, his tone is more cold. ]

I'm going to come up with a code, in case I'm targeted. My plan is to leave an unsent text on my phone if I'm able to open it without my attacker noticing. Once I come up with a code, I'll let you know. I'm also going to tell it to Grace and Harrowhark, in case any of you are also targeted.

[ sometimes you come up with a backup plan beforehand in case you mcdie because you want your killer caught ]

[sengokus]

[ . . . . . . . . he pauses at that, before he nods.]

Okay.

[it's part of why he said he'd use his power for the same thing.]

... we get two powers each. So if you wanna replace the one you got from the event, ask another Avatar for one. Maybe you can get something damning, too.

[and then.]

... and Sloth-san said... even if someone loses their life here, it's probably not impossible to get them back. [ . . . . ] I won't accept it if anything happens to you.

[dotcom]

What do you mean by that?

[ he is once again ignoring everything mineo has said that is emotional and is instead latching onto the plot. ]

Do you know how we could get someone back?

[sengokus]

[he's getting used to it, but he's also not going to stop saying it!

he shakes his head]

Nothing as direct as that... not for lack of trying, for the record. Just that I was told to keep indulging, which I'm taking to mean that maybe we can accumulate enough power to get people back.

[dotcom]

Hm. Well, that's good to know. You should have mentioned it sooner.

[ just. criticizes him. ]