entranceway | 25th Link ▫ [Video]

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25th Link ▫ [Video]

[It's July 1. The date hadn't meant too much, other than the fact that for some reason, the Garden was on its way to taking over the Mansion. It seemed to be spreading at a rapid pace, enough to cause concern. But it was low on Minato's list of concerns at the moment. He had something else to worry about--even besides turning more plant-like--and that was trying to figure out how to stay upright on his feet without wanting to fall over, pass out, or vomit. He would very much like the room to stop spinning too.

Minato resorted then to just sitting on the floor with his back against the side of the bed. It might've been more logical to sleep in the bed. When he had the strength in him to get up there, he would.

But right now he was as comfortable as he could get from just sitting where he was with his eyes closed, and trying not to pay too much pay attention to the way his head hurt and the incessant chatter of the larkspurs in his room.]

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[Minato nodded. The sea breeze did make it better to be outside too.]

It reminds me of when I first arrived.

[Yuu rested his elbows on his knees and nodded.]

How do you feel now?

[Minato thought about it for a moment or two. He glanced down at his arms striped with green before looking out at the ocean.]

Okay. You?

Alright.

[Yuu reached over and plucked at one of the tiny tendrils.]

This is a new look for you. What's it like?

[Minato turned to look over at Yuu's hand that touched one of the tendrils.]

... I can feel that.

[Which was already kind of weird in itself. It didn't hurt or anything.]

It just feels like you're touching me.

[Yuu looked up to say something else, but stalled as he took in Minato's face. What was this other boy's name? He knew he should know it. They were best friends, after all. A troubled expression settled around his eyes and mouth, but he didn't panic. Not yet.]

...Weird. [It was a late attempt at a save. His hesitation had been too noticeable for that to cover it up.]

[That was also weird. Minato was about to ask why Yuu had paused, but he ended up having the same problem. What was this person's name? It led him to think about his own name, and he couldn't even do that. That was... That was weird.

He brought a hand up to rub his eye to look at Yuu again. He knew who this was, he knew he did. Then why did it feel like he didn't or couldn't, to the point that he hadn't wanted to look away. But that was awkward, and so Minato did.]

It'll go away soon. ... You look worried.

[Yuu looked away, too, and rubbed the back of his neck. It was awkward and a little alarming, but it was comforting that all he'd forgotten was Minato's name. He still recognized his face and he knew that he knew him well. He was comfortable with him.]

It's probably nothing. I mean, the last few days have been weird all around.

[Minato nodded. He let a minute or so pass, reassessing how he felt, shifting his arms to test their weight with those tendrils coming out of them. He felt less sick than before, which was good. With his finger in the sand, Minato attempted to write his name or the name of the boy sitting next to him, or any name, and he hadn't even known where to start. He only ended up idly making meaningless patterns in the sand.

When he looked up at Yuu though to start speaking again, he was slightly surprised, like he hadn't expected Yuu to be sitting right there. He looked down to avoid appearing any more alarmed, thinking that it was still more startling that he couldn't remember what Yuu looked liked the moment he looked away. Something was really wrong, but it wasn't going to set him on edge. Yet.]

Mn. It's not like it'll last forever.

[He didn't like how that came out though.]

[Yuu watched Minato write in the sand. It was strange that every time he looked at Minato, it was like the first time. In a way, though, that feeling was almost a good one, a warm one, seeing someone anew every moment, remembering only as an afterthought how dear that feeling of freshness was. It was a more optimistic feeling than Yuu had felt since--

Since...]

....Where did we come from?

[Minato was about to answer since it seemed easy enough to do so despite how strange the question was. But he couldn't remember what that answer was. It seemed like things were slowly slipping away from him, but the longer he was there, the less he started to actually worry about it. He couldn't put his finger on why though.]

From there?

[From back at the Mansion, as Minato indicated by pointing behind him with his thumb. That seemed like a good enough answer for the time being.]

[Yuu glanced back and an odd feeling of relief flooded him. Of course that was right. That was where he was from. Or at least where he lived and where he'd come from to get to this beach.]

But...weren't we somewhere else before that?

[The question didn't seem as urgent as it might have ten minutes ago. His voice held only vague curiosity; the answer really didn't matter.]

[Minato thought about it again. Before what? Before coming out here? They were in the Mansion all of maybe half an hour ago.]

Maybe.

[Minato would try to remember it later. In the meantime he was still making patterns in the sand, then when he noticed sand on the edges of Yuu's pants, he brushed it off for him.]

... I like where we are now.

[Yuu looked back and tugged at one of the tiny vines growing from Minato's arm.]

Me too.

[Minato felt that tugging and he moved to sit closer to Yuu because of it. He smiled a little, eventually catching Yuu's hand in his own.]

What's it feel like to you?

[For a couple of seconds, Yuu was surprised. But then he realized he had no reason to be and he smiled down at their hands.]

It feels...good.

[He could remember that feeling good wasn't that normal for him. But it was getting harder to remember why.]

[Minato smiled again, almost close to a very soft laugh, but not there yet.]

I'm glad.

[He gave Yuu's hand a light squeeze.]

... But I meant the vines.

Oh....

[Yuu might have blushed slightly, but he didn't pay any attention to it.]

Like a plant, I guess.

[Minato kept his hold on Yuu's hand. He was glad too that he didn't have leaves or vines growing out of his palms and fingers.]

Can you be more specific?

Um...kind of alive? Like you know if you dug your nails into it, they'd get sticky with whatever's inside.

[Minato turned his arm a bit for the both of them to see.]

You're not going to try, are you?

[Yuu shook his head.]

It might hurt.

[Minato hadn't actually planned on Yuu trying since he assumed the same thing. He looked out at the sea and how the waves rolled.]

I like that you're here with me.

I like it here too.

[Yuu looks at the water, too, then slumps sideways so he's leaning on Minato.]

With you, I mean.

[Minato smiled. This felt like the only place he wanted to be at the moment or ever. He knew what Yuu meant, and the feeling was mutual.]

Then stay with me.

[He leaned his head against Yuu's, comforted by their closeness. He had asked before, and Yuu had complied. Really, Minato shouldn't be so lucky.]

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