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[adventlead]

I let him go. Make sure to be quick. It would be a shame, and your fault, if he were to end up dead from your neglect.

...Not that it would matter. I doubt he learned his lesson.

I'm ready to go now.

[ ooc: so Kadaj left Angeal somewhere, and Angeal-mun will make a post later giving his condition and what he'll be doing. ]

Comments

[purgatory_maren]

Thank you for listening. Where did you leave him? And where are you?

[adventlead]

Outside. I'm next to the forest.

[purgatory_maren]

I'm on my way.

[adventlead]

I...

[purgatory_maren]

...What?

[adventlead]

I'll tell you later.

[purgatory_maren]

I'll be there soon. Be someplace I can find you.

[And he's on his way, as quick as he can get there]

[adventlead]

Okay.

[Sitting out in the open, head down while he waits*

[purgatory_maren]

[It takes a few minutes, but Minato finds his way to where he thinks Kadaj would be. Whenever they went to the outskirts they'd always gone through the same place. Taking a minute or two to look around, he spots Kadaj several feet away. He doesn't approach him- just stands there watching, waiting for him to look up.]

... Kadaj.

[adventlead]

[Kadaj knows he's there, but he doesn't look at him even after Minato speaks. He can't look at him, and he can't speak. Lifting up both his hands, he keeps them out. Just waiting.]

[purgatory_maren]

[Minato watches as Kadaj lifts his hands and just stares. He's not sure if he's being cautious or just frozen at the sight of him. He's unused to going so long without seeing Kadaj anymore, and after what he did to keep him away for so long waves of mixed emotions were crashing behind that deadpan exterior. Part of him wants to coldly arrest him, silent and emotionless as he cuffs him and walks him back to the station. Another wants to run to him and show him how much he missed him. Yet another wants to rush him and beat the tar out of him for what he'd done, both to him and to Angeal.

He decides to go with a tamer solution... Minato slowly approaches Kadaj, saying nothing to the remnant as he slips the cuffs off his belt and takes him by the wrists. Kadaj's hands should be bound together, but instead he may find them raised and lowered behind Minato's neck, the blue-haired boy placing those arms around him instead of behind Kadaj's back. It could be the last time in a little while that this would be okay.]

You... are a fucking

[adventlead]

[Kadaj let him, his arms going limp like a good puppet's because this was what Minato wanted. What he needed. Even if this felt painful, and he wanted to move recoil because he knew eventually he would have to move, he did it for him.

His head lowered only slightly at the scolding, his eyes without remorse or any emotion for that matter. He didn't say anything, he just tried not to think about him. About how he felt, and how fragile he was, slender enough to where he could have snapped his neck and the tone of his voice, and he wondered what his face would say if he bothered to look. He knew he should, but he didn't.]

[purgatory_maren]

...Kadaj?

[Minato furrows his brow, staring at the curtain of Kadaj's hair that blocks his lowered face. He clenches his jaw, wondering why he's being so lifeless instead of saying something- doing anything. His words were only half serious, as they usually were when he was upset with Kadaj, but rather than talk again he tips his own head to the side and brings a hand to Kadaj's lowered chin. After a pause and a soft sigh, Minato tries to bring the other boy's head up, to meet his eyes. Maybe he would say or do something if he would only look

[adventlead]

[Kadaj frowns delicately. He really doesn't want to move from Minato, and he's not sure if this is easier. He doesn't feel like answering him, at least not yet. What is he supposed to say? There are so many things he could, most that are probably wrong.

When he responds to Minato's touch, voluntarily lifting up his head, he tries to speak and say something only to be left with nothing. He can't look and speak, so his stare flickers to the side and he whispers what he's wanted to say in person for all too long now.]

I missed you.

[purgatory_maren]

[With a slow, deep breath, Minato closes his eyes and thinks. Kadaj had said that a few time over the course of this whole ordeal and Minato had brushed him off to try and avoid falling away from the subject of Angeal, and his safety. He'd tried subtly bribing Kadaj with being able to see each other again if only he'd stop, but look where that got them... Gee, it only took two weeks.

By the time he opens his eyes again, he realizes he'd been holding his breath and sighs gently, looking at Kadaj's averted eyes.]

I- ...I missed you too.

[It felt better to say it, after dodging it that whole time. He'd been wanting to say it for a long time, and be able to say it like he meant it, instead of with distance in his voice. Without hesitation, Minato slides his hand back, across Kadaj's jaw, and threads his fingers into his hair.]

We have a little bit of time... they know I've been looking for you, but not that I know where you are yet. I'll need to dispatch them for Angeal, and we both know we can't linger around for long.