cinnamon buns

Mink was certainly a challenge. That’s how he saw it anyway. Someone who refused to bend no matter how much he was pressed by the younger of the two. Aoba made it a point to get close to Mink, to build their relationship so that when he did (and he would) get Scrap back, well breaking his mind would be the most fun, wouldn’t it? It’s not as if he particularly cared about him or anything. He was just a little plaything to pass the time with.

Perhaps he chose Mink of all people because he was already aware of what he was like. Whether it was true to his nature or not, Mink was ruthless in a way that Aoba could not dare to separate from. He yearned for it, longed for just that — and no one else but Mink would be able to give it to him. Thus, their current situation was bred to be just this. He was somewhat content with that. Mink never made their mutual life together boring at least, even if he was being ignored, that was fine. The sheer fact that Mink would rather ignore him than all other options just tickled him pink.

Eventually, however, Mink appeared to have grown rather docile. Not exactly which was a good thing too, or Aoba would have moved on - but he acknowledged the presence of Aoba. Maybe he hoped to find the “Reason” in Aoba to combat the “Desire” — maybe he hoped that “Restraint” would sweep in and save the day.

But no, this was no waiting game. Desire had clearly beaten Reason and Restraint.

"Oh? Are you home? Ah! I’m so glad, I was waiting for —"

The movements of Mink cut him off completely. The gentle brush of his snow white locks instead of a harsh tug and fist full of his hair — the delicate lean forward instead of a slam against the wall, and finally, the pressing of lips against his forehead instead of…well anything else. Aoba had to stop and assess just what the hell was going on.

Mink wasn’t like this — the Mink that this rendition of Aoba sought after, pined for was not like this! Was he testing him? Was he trying to get rid of him in a way he hadn’t thought of until now?

No, no. Panicking like this would get him nowhere, he knew that. But this was so far from any realm of possibilities he could have ever predicted. He simply didn’t know what to do. His heart caught in his throat and something, something he tried and was sure of was buried deep down came out. It left Aoba to speak in an almost familiar way of speaking, his tone was so soft and quiet with a hint of disbelief.

"Hey…Mink? Are you okay?" 

Everything.

When had he decided this? Recently. Apparently.. On the walk home? But it felt as though he'd loved this person his whole life. Like he was born for him. But it was noticed, most likely. He wasn't himself. Of course it would be realized. His cheeks were flushed.. His actions were beyond normal for him. His touch more gentle. It was as though he truly loved this man. His free hand moved up to the other's face, caressing Aoba's cheek with his thumb.

"You..."

His gaze narrowed.. But quickly softened once more as the other spoke. This.. This was who he'd met before. The first time.. Not the one who may have been death personified but.. Aoba. The smell of death returned and Mink's eyes seemed to grow heavy. It was almost as though he were intoxicated by the one he held. His voice.. Mink wanted to hear it again. Yet, he didn't answer the other's question.. Instead, he continued staring into the other's eyes. He parted his lips, as though he may have been about to say something.. Anything.

But no words escaped him. He'd leaned a little closer, brushing his lips against the other's cheek first.. And then? He temporarily captured the younger man's lips with his own. If he were counting the seconds, Aoba may have realized that the display of affection was cut rather short. There was only a hint of force in his kiss but sooner than one could expect, he'd backed off.

It was strange.. Despite himself, his breath was shaky.. His head felt heavy.. He wavered, his arm still around Aoba but he backed him into a wall, if only to keep from falling on him. Closing his eyes, Mink leaned over and pressed his lips against Aoba's forehead once more before he simply bumped his own forehead against the other's.

".. Tired."

Who are you? — He couldn’t wait to answer that question.

For now however, he laughed under a breath, increasing in octaves when he was suddenly grabbed and pulled forward. He definitely hadn’t changed from the little he remembered of Mink before departing for platinum jail. The brush of his fringe was unexpected of Mink but that alone piqued Aoba’s curiosity.  He thought in the back of his mind, that while Koujaku had certainly been his entire world back on the island — could he hope for that here? For that beautiful and destructive Koujaku to return to him? Aoba in this state was terribly selfish, he couldn’t be bothered to wait for something he wasn’t certain of. No matter how much he had enjoyed it and yearned for it.

Raising arms, Aoba, this rendition of “Aoba”, wasn’t afraid to do as he pleased - wasn’t afraid of Mink or his reactions. In fact, he wanted to lure them out. To bring about those angered reactions. It made him shiver just anticipating it, and he wanted to push forth, grabbing Mink’s face with the palms of his hands and pulling him in as close as he was able. 

“You want to know, don’t you?”

"... Be quiet."

The hand that had grazed the other's cheek with what could almost be a gentle touch had moved to firmly grasp Shiroba's throat, narrowing his eyes as a response to Aoba's previous actions.. Thinking of how he was to respond. In appearance, this was Aoba. But... It also wasn't Aoba.

Was it?

Why he was so concerned about this now was beyond him.. But what more could a man who had no will to live but no reason to die hope to find in such a Utopia? Perhaps.. He could find something in this Aoba.. The smell of death lingered, stronger than ever.. The destruction of life. It was as though he was an entirely different person.. One who might end up destroying him, for all he knew. Breaking him entirely. Or they could destroy each other. And? He was something Mink wished to dominate entirely.

Though he'd loosened his hold, Mink shifted his grip.. Pressing his thumb against the other's windpipe, he watched Aoba's expressions.. And as he'd predicted, when the man's lips finally parted to speak... It was just as Aoba thought.

"Who are you..?"

There was time to waste, however. Aoba meandered about mostly in the shopping areas, no intention to work nor buy a thing, but the noise provided him with enough distraction. Even if it was in the dullest frame. Aoba continued his browsing until a presence was felt — more so, he felt eyes piercing through him. It made him shiver and he turned instinctively towards the source, just in time to hear a call from a somewhat familiar voice and tone. 

"Oh? So it’s you.”

"How cute, you came out to meet me. I’m so flattered, Mink."

Long time, no see.

That’s what Aoba thought anyway, having gone through a deal of things prior to this oh, so special reunion. He was pleasantly surprised by Mink’s appearance — both his arrival in Benu and by being approached by him. From what he remembered of the taller man, he wouldn’t do anything without some sort of reason, some benefit that he could garner. That may still very well ring true, as he must have approached Aoba, without a second thought even despite his pure white appearance, for his own selfish reason.

So it wasn't just his appearance that had changed.. The man he was looking at was hardly the same person he'd met before. At first glance, this person disgusted him.. But this is what he'd been looking for in Aoba, wasn't it? What he'd wanted to draw out.. This potential.

The power that was to come with it.

What he sought was in the other's voice. Though, that seemed to be lacking at this time. Ah.. Then would he have any reason to bother with him? Perhaps.. It was his own curiosity that kept him from walking away right then. It wasn't often that he let something like that keep him.. But, really. Something must have happened for Aoba to be this way. Had it been after they'd been separated? The cause..? Well, he intended to find out.

"Cut the shit."

Already, he was annoyed. A hand reached out to grasp the front of the other's kimono, dragging him closer. His free hand moved to brush strands of white hair out of his face, eyes narrowing a touch. This one really wasn't the person he'd encountered before.

".. Hn.."

There were obvious questions he wanted to ask but... Well, he'd probably demand answers rather than ask. Soon enough.

dramatical christmas

[ she takes a step back, bringing her hand to her own lips, not in aghast horror but curiousity; the kind of curiosity that doesn’t drive an individual to pursue it. she may be a princess but even she’s aware that the animals she talks to don’t actually talk back. she oh, so, casually brushes off her dress while eyeing mink but directs her attention and a shy smile back to the bird—err, cockatoo ]

『 Rapunzel. I am not a talking bird. I'm called Tori. That's all. 』

Tori responded in almost a haughty manner, the cigar shifting between his beak. Opening his wings a bit to flap gently before settling back onto Mink's shoulder, Tori glanced at Mink to receive some indication to continue speaking before he did so once more.

『 I require information. What do you know of Benu? 』

Mink, on the other hand, had acknowledged her a bit more by now. His cold gaze had shifted and he studied her. The end of his pipe was placed between his lips again and he watched with minor interest and waited to see what Rapunzel's response to Tori's inquiry would be.

"Without any sort of danger here, I’m really good for nothing."

[ Severa isn’t used to not having a sword on her, but at the same time it’s something she’s become accuostomed to. She’s adjusted to this world enough that she can finally wake up and not immediately reach to strap her sword onto her person, but it’s still… weird.

She decided to go to the market to pick up ingredients for dinner. If there’s anything she can do without a weapon, it’s cook.  ]

"So much for wanting to do great things, tch."

What was there for him then?

For the time being, Mink busied himself with some minor shopping. Like Severa, he gathered this and that.. Ingredients for a simple meal. The man paused, taking a glance over at the vegetables they had available.. And the person in the way of getting to what he had his eye on. Now, while he could have waited.. Well. Without a word, really.. He brushed past Severa, reaching around her to gather what he needed. The man did regard her, sparing a glance as he finished gathering what he needed.

"...--"

If only for a moment, Mink stared at her after she had spoken. Great things..? He was sure he heard correctly. A gently scoff emitted from the man and he reached over and placed a potato onto her head.

Glancing back at this girl with an uninterested gaze, Mink sighed softly. A trail of smoke lingered before Mink placed the pipe to his lips once more before looking away again. He didn't fully intend on ignoring the girl.. Rather, the pink cockatoo side stepped on the man's shoulder so it was a bit closer to her.

『 Yes. It is. 』

Tori spoke, tilting his head to the side.

…of death’s shadow and the destruction of life.

I wanted to know what sort of person you were when I learned that, and at the same time, I realized the truth in my heart.