Coming Home || Low Aphro

[infinite_arcana]

Her battle was over and her life had been spent finishing the Great Seal, but her time in the hotel had given her new breath and warmth. It had been trying, to say the least, but after seeing and doing everything she had, she learned to appreciate the time she had left, almost sure that when she left the hotel, she'd be silently locked away as the

Comments

I took long enough to get to this. OTL;

[thesecretchef]

It wouldn't take long for a message to get sent to the dorm building, one regarding an ally they had 'lost' on October 4th. One Shinjiro Aragaki, who had slipped into a coma and remained in such for months, had finally awakened and was expected to be released from hospitalization that day.

He found that some of the events leading to him being there were starting to get blurry, but the punk didn't care. Instead, just continued to rest in the bed at the hospital, stuck in a hospital gown even though they had taken the IV drip out. He'd be able to get dressed and leave later, but even if he finally regained consciousness he was still exhausted. It had been months since his body had even had to move, after all.

How did everyone else do? No one gave him any word, but he still wasn't sure if the Dark Hour was still there or not... He'd have to stay up until midnight to find out. Of course, there was always word of mouth but... They probably wouldn't have time to visit him.

Im just glad you answered!

[infinite_arcana]

Of course she'd gotten the message. At first, she'd found it a little odd that no one was at the dorm but why should it be? After all, they all had their own lives and no one had known she would be back even if it was just for a visit. Still, she would've liked to have seen all of them.

That didn't mean that she hadn't gone racing out the door as soon as she'd gotten the message that someone she'd missed so much had finally awakened.

A quick trip on the train and a short walk had her almost ready to burst through the door, unable to contain her excitement, but like a polite young woman, she paused and knocked before poking her head in.

There was no mistaking the warm, happy smile on her face.

"About time you rolled outta bed!"

Hee. <3

[thesecretchef]

He turned to face her, giving her a once over before looking away with a slight 'tch' noise.

"It's March now, right? Looks like you handled things just fine without me."

^^

[infinite_arcana]

The smile never faltered even if it dimmed the tiniest bit. As soon as she was in the room, she quietly closed the door behind her before she moved to settle herself on the edge of his bed.

"We still would've wanted you there. Don't you dare think otherwise."

Buh, maybe I should play the game to get the muse back.

[thesecretchef]

Shinjiro didn't answer her, instead just making a slight noise and glancing away. But, regardless of how he acted, he was really happy to see her.

"... How's Aki?"

Up to you

[infinite_arcana]

The mention of her senpai made Minako's smile grow soft. The last time she'd Aki, he'd been with her when...

Everyone had been.

"He was fine the last time I saw him. He graduated along with Mitsuru."

[thesecretchef]

"Good to hear," He mumbled, shifting where he sat and glancing over her. It was a little nerve-wracking to ask but... he'd have to. Six months was a long time, and he didn't know if it was still the same. He had to know.

"Minako. Do you still feel the same way you did in October."

[infinite_arcana]

For a moment, she was silent. How could she answer that without telling him everything that happened? A firm believer in honesty, she still wasn't sure if she could come flat out and tell him she wasn't supposed to be there... or anywhere other than keeping Nyx sealed away.

Still smiling faintly, she nodded, but there was no way to hide the lingering sadness in her eyes.

"Some things have... changed, but how I feel about you hasn't. I don't think it ever could, either."

More than anything, she wanted to ask him if he felt the same, but she just couldn't make the words form.

[thesecretchef]

Silence once again fell over the two, but to Shinji it wasn't such a bad thing. He reached a hand out to Minako, grabbing her shoulder and pulling her into his arms, embracing her with a warm hug.

"... I guess I'm glad."

[infinite_arcana]

Maybe she didn't have to ask after all. Settling against him, she curled her arms around him so she could hug him back. It was all too easy to close her eyes and lean in enough to rest her forehead against his shoulder.

"You guess?"

[thesecretchef]

He scoffed but didn't reply, instead just squeezing her a little and resting her head on top of hers.

"... You know, it's funny. I might not be here now if it wasn't for you."

[infinite_arcana]

Being like this with him just felt right. Muffling a smile against his shoulder, she tightened her arms.

"I'm glad you are. I've missed you."

[thesecretchef]

"You too," He murmured, kissing the top of Minako's head after a moment. He didn't think he'd get to hold her again...

[infinite_arcana]

Humming softly, she pretty much curled up against him, just enjoying the feel of him once again. She had no idea how long she had with him and she wanted to make every moment last.

"... did you dream?"

[thesecretchef]

"Sometimes. Remember one with you fightin' somethin' huge on your own, all we could do was cheer you on."

[infinite_arcana]

"... that one wasn't a dream."

Sighing softly, she burrowed in closer. her words muffled.

"... it was Nyx."