Chapter Text
The eighty fifth floor was proving to be one of the more annoying of Tartarus. Or were they on the eighty sixth? Minato had lost count some time ago, not that he could tell when, given his watch, cell phone, and music player were all dead during the Dark Hour. I didn't matter much, Mitsuru had done a good enough job of keeping them alive thus far, and Fuuka had fallen into the role of navigator splendidly.
He was tired. He was always tired, but tonight the winding corridors were starting to make his eyes ache, the smell of mold and dried blood worming its way to his stomach. Yukari was exhausted, plodding at the back of the group with her bow lowered to her side.
"Hang in there, Yuka-tan," Minato heard Junpei's voice, softer than usual. In his peripheral vision he though he saw Junpei pass an item her way, most likely medicine.
At his left, Akihiko's gaze was firmly set forward, long legs striding in step just behind Minato's. He was an expert at playing stoic, but after nearly four months, Minato knew him well enough to see past the curtain. The senior was tired and irritable, sweat at his temples and fists clenched inside his armored gloves.
"Time to find an exit." Minato cringed a bit at his own voice, shredded and echoing.
Akihiko nodded his way. "Should we split up? Find it faster?"
Minato glanced back at Yukari. Her face was paler than it was a few minutes ago. "No," he answered. "Stay together."
This floor was much larger than the last few. It had to be, or at least that was more pleasant than the idea that they were tired enough to be going in circles. He almost didn't notice the red glow around the shadow barreling towards them, save for Akihiko's surprised shout in his ear. The shadow that came forth looked the same as all the others, looming and grotesque, and weak against ice.
Always ice, especially when he'd left Mitsuru on the first floor.
Junpei took up a stance in front of Yukari, raising his comically large sword. Even without Bufu spells, they could still chip away at it until it fell. Minato focused, pushing Orpheus down, allowing Power to surface. They at least had the shadow outnumbered, and he raised his Evoker to cast Revolution and raise their chances and ending the battle quickly.
It was fine, it was going well. The shadow cast Marin Karin.
Minato cursed out loud as he watched the spell swirl around Akihiko's head, pink and purple hearts that made the boxer reel back. Akihiko doubled over as Minato searched his pockets for a Dis-Charm.
His pockets were empty.
"Yukari!" Minato called, not daring to take his eyes away from his comrade. "Akihiko's been charmed, I don't have anything!"
He hadn't even finished his sentence before Akihiko was bearing down on him, fists at the ready and eyes glowing a sickly purple. Minato dodged left, then right, his legs straining with the movement. The corridor was too narrow to really get away unless he turned tail and ran, and given Yukari's state, that wasn't an option.
"Shit. We're out of Dis-Charms!" Junpei sounded panicked. Minato ducked another fist, the glove sending debris flying out from the wall behind him. This was bad.
"Defeat the Shadow! It'll dispel the -" He didn't get a chance to finish his sentence, a fist below his ribcage cutting off his voice. Akihiko was strong, far stronger than his thin build would suggest, and more than strong enough to push the air from Minato's lungs.
Wheezing, Minato stumbled back, missing a left hook by luck alone. Junpei had run ahead and was swinging wildly at the shadow, Yukari behind him. Hopefully he could survive Akihiko's attack long enough for the two of them to kill the Shadow.
The glint of silver made Minato's train of thought stutter. He watched in slow motion as Akihiko pulled the Evoker from the holster on his hip and raised the barrel between his eyes. This was very bad.
"Polydeuces!"
Even his voice sounded wrong as the gleaming Persona sprang from shattered light that blew from the back of Akihiko's head. Polyduces reared up, casting a spell. Minato took one last look at Akihiko's face. Determined, powerful, his eyes piercing. Beautiful. He could think of worse ways to go.
The Zio spell hurt, so much more than any enemy's ever had. He would have screamed if he'd had enough air in his lungs. But he didn't, so all Minato could do was crumple to the floor.
Someone was calling his name. Another was yelling. But they were so far away, and he was so tired. Where was he? Everything around him felt deadened, muffled. If he just rested for a minute...
Minato!
Rhythmic pressure on his chest, a thumping that pushed his spine into the floor. Hot air in his mouth, filling his lungs. It hurt. Breathe, he needed to breathe, but his chest wouldn't work.
"Please, Minato! Breathe!"
The voices were clearer as more air was forced down his throat. Minato choked on it, coughing violently and gulping for oxygen. His head spun, vision filling with sparks as he cracked his eyes open.
Above him, a pale blur hovered. Minato blinked, feeling the cold tile under his back. His body was twitching oddly, muscles tensing erratically. A loud sniffle behind him drew his eyes up to Yukari, her face streaked with tears.
"H-holy shit," Junpei's shaking voice came from his right.
A hand pushed his hair away from his face, and Minato followed the arm to Akihiko's red sweater vest. The senior exhaled, lowering his head. Minato though he saw tears on his cheeks, but his vision swam when he tried to look closer.
Arms looped under his knees and back as he was hoisted up, his forehead cradled against a hot, damp collar. "We need to get out of here." The voice faded away as Minato's vision went dark.
-----
He'd had a terrible dream, the kind of dream that would leave him wrung out all day. Shadows, spells, lightning. Pain. It was light in his room, which meant it was time to get up and get ready for school. The alarm on his cell should have gone off by now. Maybe he'd forgotten to plug in the charger before he fell asleep, it wouldn't be the first time.
Minato opened his eyes and had to blink a few times. The ceiling above him was unfamiliar, rows of florescent light fixtures and white tiles. Bright sunlight was filtering in from his left, casting a glow on sheets that were most definitely not his.
Looking around, it took Minato's brain several moments to catch up. If the paper bracelet on his wrist was any indication, he was in a hospital. How did he...?
To his right, hunched over with his arms on his knees, was Akihiko. Or a pale imitation of his senior, the tie on his uniform hanging loose around his neck, the top button undone on his shirt. He looked hollow, the skin under his eyes dark and sunken. In his gloved hands he held something small, stroking the surface with his thumbs in an idle rhythm. It was Minato's music player, the headphones cradled in Akihiko's other palm.
"...You can listen to it, if you want." The words were a pitiful whisper.
Akihiko lurched as if he'd shouted at him, his eyes wide. The music player dropped to the sheets beside Minato's arm with a soft thump as Akihiko stood.
"You're awake," he breathed, reaching out to touch Minato's hair. His hand lingered for only a second before he pulled back, his expression pained. "I - we've been worried."
"How long?"
He could feel the mattress sag as Akihiko rested his weight on his arms. "Two days. It was...." he shook his head and turned towards the door. "I should tell the nurse you're up."
Akihiko left the room and didn't return. The nurse came in a few minutes later.
-----
Minato remained in the hospital for another day. He was tired and sore, even while he was awake, but Yukari and Junpei came to visit after school. Junpei's demeanor was softer than normal.
"We told the doctors that you got shocked by a faulty extension cord," Yukari explained in a hushed voice. "And that you were already stressed out and weak from school."
It made sense, at least more than fighting monsters in a giant evil tower. "What happened?" Minato asked. "I don't remember most of it."
Yukari and Junpei exchanged nervous glances.
"Might as well tell 'im," Junpei sighed. "It'll only make it more awkward if we don't."
Yukari looked unsure, but scooted her chair a little closer to the bed and leaned in close. "It was Akihiko. He.... he was charmed, and we couldn't heal him in time."
Minato turned at looked at his music player, now resting on the table beside his bed, the cords neatly folded. Bits of memory came back to him, memories he'd confused for a terrible dream. The punch to the ribs, the Zio spell. Akihiko's eyes, merciless and cold. He was sure he was going to die.
"You weren't breathing," Yukari continued. "We were so scared -" her voice cut off with a hiccup as tears filled her eyes. Junpei patted Yukari's shoulder, Minato gave him a questioning look.
"We thought you were a goner, man." Junpei removed his hat and gave his short clipped hair a quick scratch. "Your ears were bleeding, it was so freaky. Akihiko gave you CPR. If he hadn't... shit."
Akihiko's demeanor from the previous day made sense. He would have to talk to him once he was home.
-----
It was Thursday when Minato was discharged from the hospital with strict orders to avoid physical activity for three days. He'd missed a major student counsel meeting and Kendo practice, not to mention homework he'd have to catch up on. On the bus ride back, he listened to his favorite album. The music sounded different, like it was slightly off-key.
Iwatodai dorm was quiet when he arrived. It was barely past 5pm, and his dorm mates were likely still at afternoon activities. Minato went up to his room to change into clean clothes, settling on an old T-shirt and jeans. He caught a glimpse of black and blue on his stomach and tried to pretend he didn't see it.
After grabbing a soda from the vending machine, he went back downstairs to flop on the oversized sofa. The silence of the lounge bothered him, sounding too much like the sterile hospital. Minato flipped on the TV, settling on a random game show before cracking open his Cielo Mist and settling into the cushions.
The contestants in the game show had made it to the last round, a new car as the final prize. Minato almost wanted to cheer for them. He didn't get a chance to as the front door click and squeaked, and Akihiko strode in. He made eye contact with Minato and stopped short, lowering the jacket that he had slung over his shoulder.
"Hey," Minato called softly.
Akihiko hesitated a moment, then walked over to stand in front of the coffee table. "Hey," he answered. "I heard you were being released today."
Minato set his soda on the table, knowing he'd get an earful for damaging the wood. "I have to take it easy for a few days."
Nodding, Akihiko's eyes were locked on the floor. The tension was thick, Akihiko's face lined with guilt and worry. He wasn't very adept at hiding his emotions.
"I'm okay," Minato said. Akihiko finally looked at him.
"Glad to hear it."
Akihiko tried to look away again. Minato made a motion to follow his gaze, staying in his senior's field of vision.
"Are you?"
Akihiko made a show of searching for a response, worrying his lip and shifting his weight. Some of the dark circles were still under his eyes. He tried twice before any words came out.
"It was my fault."
"I don't blame you." The words were easy, mostly because they were true. Akihiko looked startled.
"You almost - I could have killed you!"
"But you didn't," Minato insisted, uncurling his legs from under him.
Akihiko clenched his fist around his jacket. "I -"
He was cut off by the front door opening and Junpei bounding in. "Hey, there he is!" His classmate jogged over and flopped beside Minato on the couch, swinging and arm around his shoulders. "Glad to have you back, man! Shit was so boring around here without you." Junpei reached for his soda. "Wanna go to Tartarus tonight? We can kick some ass and -"
"Knock it off, Junpei," Yukari scolded him as she came in. "You know he needs to rest."
Frowning, Junpei put the Cielo Mist back without taking a drink. "Fine, fine."
Behind Yukari, Fuuka and Mitsuru were returning, and all at once the lounge was filled with chattering. Minato caught Akihiko's uncomfortable gaze just before the senior turned to go upstairs.
----
Yukari and Junpei were both waiting for him the next morning. They rode the train to school, talking about TV shows and movies. Minato enjoyed his time with them the most. Junpei and Yukari were his original team, the ones he'd first experienced the hell of the Dark Hour with. He could lower his guard around them.
Gekkoukan High proved to be as much of a rumor mill as it ever was. Minato had taken precisely four steps inside the main hall before his classmates were swarming around him, practically shouting. One heard that he'd tried to scale a power line, another heard that he'd been shocked while trying to hack into the school's database. Another claimed aliens. Minato waved them off, reciting Yukari's line about a faulty extension cord. His classmates frowned as they dispersed.
Class went by quickly. Minato was able to concentrate for the most part, only slipping when the quack nurse took the podium. How Mister Edogawa was allowed to teach anything was a mystery. Thankfully he wasn't called on.
Once afternoon classes wrapped up, Minato decided to swing by the gym for Kendo. He wouldn't be able to participate just yet, but it would still be good to just be there. Kaz greeted him cheerfully, even as he sat on the bench. His teammate was still nursing his knee, Minato could tell. He would have to help him make a decision about it soon.
Upon returning to the dorm, he was strictly denied access to Tartarus.
Saturday went by in very much the same manor. Instead of Kendo, he stopped by the used bookshop at the station to say hello to the old couple there. They were always so pleased to see him, and it lifted Minato's spirits. When he returned home, Akihiko was nowhere to be found.
On Sunday he took his laptop to the dining table downstairs. His room felt a little too foreign that day, the silence making him uneasy. Even though his dorm mates had left for the afternoon, the lounge was far more comfortable. He finished his math and English homework with ease.
Just after four, the front door opened. Akihiko came inside, walking straight past the front desk and heading for the stairs. He spotted Minato at the table and his gait stuttered before stopping. A tense silence followed, the upperclassman frowning at the carpet on the stairs.
Akihiko huffed a breath and turned, striding towards the table and pulling out a chair directly across from Minato. He folded his hands together on the tablecloth. He'd switched to his short sleeved shirt for the summer, it was the first time Minato had really seen his arms.
"...I owe you an apology."
Minato closed his laptop and gently pushed it aside. "I already told you that I didn't blame you."
"Not for what happened." Akihiko rubbed at his temple. "I've been avoiding you."
Minato could see that the circles under Akihiko's eyes still lingered.
"I just - after what happened to you, it really hit me. That we could die doing this, I mean."
Nodding thoughtfully, Minato had a split second urge to reach across the table for Akihiko's hands. He pushed it away and searched for the right words. "We all have to watch out for each other," he said. "It's as much my fault for going in without enough supplies."
Akihiko looked surprised at that, before his eyebrows creased together, making the bandage on his temple wrinkle. "I'm supposed to be the senior here. I'm supposed to..."
"Stop." Minato did reach out to him then, letting one hand rest against the warm leather of Akihiko's gloves. It seemed to catch his attention, which was a relief. "I'm going back to Tartarus tomorrow." He cocked an eyebrow in challenge. "I can count on you to get back in the ring, right?"
That seemed to do the trick, Akihiko's expression tensing briefly before brightening. He nodded at Minato with a smile. "...Yeah. Yeah, count on me."
----
After their talk, if it could really be called that, Akihiko's demeanor returned to normal. His determination was stronger than ever, and it showed in the ferocity of his fists.
Minato did notice that Akihiko seemed to be sticking closer to him now. His senior would insist to be taken into Tartarus and would closely follow him, slowly slipping into the role of bodyguard. No one questioned the change; Minato had to agree that it seemed a natural form for Akihiko. And every night they went to Tartarus, Akihiko would diligently check their supplies for shortages.
At school, the pattern continued. Minato would see Akihiko in the stands at Kendo practice, sitting with an open book in his lap. Afterwards they'd walk home together, and it was a comforting break from Kenji's obsession and Kaz's refusal to care for himself, no matter how much Minato urged him to.
June was quickly coming to a close, and Minato was finding himself in the library more and more. Exams were less than three weeks away, but he felt confident about the material thus far. Studying came naturally to him. He closed his books and loaded his bag.
Oh his way out, he stared down the hallway that housed the extracurricular rooms. Beyond that were the gyms, including the boxing arena. Akihiko would most likely be at practice. He'd never seen him fight outside of Tartarus - or ever seen a proper boxing match, for that matter. The sun was far from setting, a detour would be fine today.
As he thought, Akihiko was in the ring, jabbing away at his opponent. If it weren't for the way he favored his left arm, Minato might not have realized it was him. The foam helmet he wore obstructed most of his face and hair, and his lips bulged awkwardly, the bright blue tab of a mouth guard sticking out like a mock tongue. Drenched in sweat and wearing worn gym clothes, he looked nothing like the Akihiko that Minato was used to seeing.
Minato watched from a bench near the door for a while. He'd always thought of boxing as a brute of a sport, all punches and bulging muscles. But there was a grace to it, a finesse in how his teammate shifted around the ring, feather light and lightning fast. It was beautiful in a way.
Akihiko landed a blow that sent his opponent reeling, and the match was called. A teammate helped him out of his gloves, revealing the white wrappings on his knuckles. The foam helmet slipped off and the mouth guard came out, and Akihiko was back to himself, albeit flushed and panting.
Minato caught his eye and waved. Akihiko grinned broadly and waved back as he slid through the ropes and went towards the locker room. Minato waited for him outside the gym, his skin buzzing from the match.
-----
The July exams came and went faster than he'd expected. They didn't pose much trouble - except for Japanese History, which gave him too may date choices that looked the same. He picked an answer he hoped was right, knowing his other test scores would carry him through if need be.
Yakushima was a welcome distraction, though Junpei seemed to be the only one who was verbal about it. The mood was dim even as they approached the island. Minato had put a new album on his music player before they left, and it rang in his ears just over the roar of the ferry's engine. Akihiko was silent at his side, radiating heat despite the ocean wind.
Minato had never been to a beach, at least not one this nice. It was certainly warmer out in the open sun, enough to make him rethink his decision to skip the sun block. Junpei wasted no time going into Teenage Male mode as soon as the girls came out in their swimsuits. Though they looked nice, Minato could only roll his eyes as Junpei pulled him aside to speak in hushed tones.
"So," Junpei jutted his scruffy chin in the girl's direction. "Which one's your type?"
He didn't care much for the question, if he was honest. Minato looked over at the girls. His friends, his comrades in arms, the women he trusted his life with. It felt strange to think of them with lustful intent, almost wrong. Minato shook his head. "I'm not interested."
Junpei let it go, until he decided to drag Minato and Akihiko into his quest for girls. Naturally it ended in Complete Disaster. He'd expected as much from Junpei, but watching Akihiko stumble over his words in front of the college girls made him oddly uneasy. The senior was normally so cool and poised, not the stuttering mess Minato was witnessing on the beach.
Thoroughly rejected, Junpei decided a swim was in order, and left Minato alone in favor of splashing the girls. Minato sat in a chair under an umbrella and enjoyed watching his best friend flail under the waves. It was peaceful here, a nice change of pace from Kendo, Tartarus, classes, and his endless list of Arcana that demanded his attention.
Akihiko strode over and joined him in the next chair. He looked elegant, crossing his long legs to relax. He was quite tall, Minato couldn't help but notice, and even in a Speedo and team T-shirt he still radiated confidence.
A shout from Junpei caught their attention. He was splashing Yukari, who looked ready to commit murder. Akihiko laughed at them.
"Want to join in? The girls like they could use some cavalry."
Minato laughed along, but shook his head. "I'm okay."
Akihiko stood and looked around, nervously pulling at the collar of his tee. "Oh, good, it's just us now." With that he pulled the shirt over his head, folding it haphazardly on the chair. Minato blinked up at his form, nearly silhouetted against the sun, stretching one arm across his body. Akihiko was nothing but lean muscle from head to toe, the curve of his spine giving way to wide shoulder blades and long arms. His sides were dotted with purple and yellow bruises, one of them highlighting the stack of his ribs.
Minato's eyes wandered, swallowing thickly as he traced lines of sinew. Akihiko noticed him and dropped the arm his was stretching, motioning at the bruises on his chest.
"They're from practice. I didn't want to freak anyone out, so..." He gestured at the shirt on the chair. He waved at Minato before running towards the water, wasting no time using one of his strong arms to send a tidal wave of water that completely engulfed Junpei. Yukari and Fuuka cheered and laughed. Minato remained in his chair, shifting his toes in the sand, trying not to stare.