#failedscrap

Since their first encounter, Shiroba had taken to the place Mink had chosen as his own. Despite his subtle efforts to chase the other off, he'd stayed. The older man didn't want him there.. He didn't want the other anywhere near him. Having determined that he'd have no use for Aoba in this place, he'd fully intended to cut off any ties he had with this person. It was infuriating... It was only after the world around them had burned that he simply resorted to ignoring the other. The experience had stirred memories he kept hidden away. And..?

He'd died then.

Mink was certain of that much. While death should have been relief, he should have joined his family.. His body had died but his soul should be with them now. Instead, he awoke to white once more...

After that, Mink allowed Shiroba to do what he liked and stay. Still, he didn't like it.. It was like having death looming over his shoulder more than before. And that was torture. Being around something that may as well could be called death and wondering just how far death could take him in Benu.

Here, he had no reason to live. Yet.. He had no means to die.

It was despite himself now that he felt a little.. Warm. Like the chains that bound his heart loosened. A feeling that had started when a little bug pricked his skin.. By the time he returned, Mink wasn't himself. That much alone could have been obvious. After setting whatever he'd brought back onto the counter, he'd approached Shiroba.. Moved his fingers through the other's hair... Just before leaning over to place his lips against the younger's forehead.

Mink had arrived in Benu days before.. After the general shock, he'd spent the next while simply deciding how he'd act from then on. Some plan of action. What was it that he'd do..? His world.. No. The place he'd come from..

It went up in flames.. Didn't it?

Like his home before that..

Exhaling softly, a trail of smoke danced about before his eyes. Tori remained quiet on his shoulder, shifting once to look around. Moments passed as the smoke disappeared before he raised his pipe to his lips once more... Only to stop.

"... Oh?"

Someone familiar, it seemed. Unexpected.. But there was a hint of intrigue in his eyes. Red.. And white. As much as his appearance had changed.. It was him. Leaving his place against the wall of one of the shops, Mink approached this one without hesitation. Because he was familiar? No.

Because he could use him.

"Oi. You.."