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[youraffection]

yosuke hanamura

video • voice • text ❝ You've reached Yosuke! You know what to do. ❞ [ BEEP! ] action [ Available at his apartment, working, or otherwise. ]

( original code by whaleparties )

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[covenantal]

[ A thrill runs through him when Yosuke presses close and slips an arm around his shoulder. A wave of guilt follows it just as swiftly before he shoves any and all emotions associated with that moment far down and smothers them.

Instead he tries a smile. It's not quite genuine and doesn't touch his eyes, but it's there. It's all he can muster up. But at least, despite all odds and all feeling right now, it's something he can still put on. ]

Yeah. I'm grateful for you guys. I know you'll have my back. Plus, it's never hard to stay busy.

[ Little knowing just how busy things will get in short order, but that's something else entirely.

If he noticed the switch from "we" to "me," he gives no sign. But that "you" may not be a general you, and if it isn't, well, that would probably be on purpose.

His expression shifts into something a little more troubled at what Yosuke says next. Yu opens his mouth to speak, pauses, and looks away briefly. ]

... however I might feel, please don't hold it against him. As upset as I've been, I know Minato-san is hurting, too. I ... [ Yu grimaces, dropping both hands into his lap and letting the can of tea dangle from his fingertips, between his legs. ] I shouldn't have said what I did about what happened to him. He kept it hidden for a reason. Even if he shouldn't have lied to me, that should have been his to tell anyone else, not mine.

[ It's clear in his face and his voice that he really, truly regrets spilling the beans about Minato's death. His jaw works for a brief moment before he looks at Yosuke again. ]

... I'll be alright. [ Quietly, gently. ] ... I just need time.

[youraffection]

[ Yosuke nods as if to affirm Yu's statement. They will always have his back--Yosuke himself, Rise, and Naoto. He's got other friends here too, plenty he's sure that don't have a direct connection to Minato. And even so, regardless of whether they think a breakup was warranted or not, they should still be able to recognize a friend's pain.

Likewise...Minato isn't his friend. But... ]

Oh...dude. [ He blinks, then shakes his head with a weary smile. ] I'm not gonna pretend and say he's my favorite person right now, but I'm not gonna go...hunting him down or anything. He hurt you and of course I don't like that, but...I get it. He's got his own shit to work through. I'm not gonna tell anyone, don't worry.

[ He thought that would go without saying, but maybe that's more of Yu's guilt speaking than anything else. Yosuke has no problem assuring him if he needs it. Like he said, he doesn't really know Minato outside of this situation, which probably isn't entirely fair to the guy and definitely clouds Yosuke's ideas of him, but something that damning...no, Yosuke's used to having people propagate rumors and talk behind his back. He wouldn't do that to someone else.

Yosuke gives his friend's shoulder a squeeze. ]

You'll have all the time you want, partner. [ A beat as he gives Yu's knee a gentle nudge with his own. ] And I'll be right here when you need me.

[covenantal]

[ Yu only smiles, wan and tired in his bones, at Yosuke's reassurances. That's just it: it's not that he doesn't trust Yosuke. He just feels so incredibly guilty for what he did that he said it anyway. It's a relief to hear the promise.

He lets his head drop between his shoulders, sighing heavily through the warm, solid grip on his shoulder. Finally, he opens the can of tea and lifts it to take a sip. ... and then another, because he didn't realize how dry his throat had gone with all this talking and all this wrenching emotion.

A certain fondness, and immense gratitude, fills his expression when he looks at Yosuke again. He doesn't feel ready to face ... a lot of things. Minato, his other friends, the world. But he doesn't have a choice. He can't stop moving, stop doing, stop being the leader.

But maybe ... maybe it won't be as bad as it feels like it ought to be.

Not with Yosuke here. ]

Thanks, Yosuke. For everything.

[youraffection]

[ He waits as Yu smiles, sighs, and absorbs everything slowly. He waits patiently, watching and offering his support for as long as Yu will accept it. It makes him smile a little more when Yu takes not one but two drinks from his can of tea. Good. It shows that he's loosening up, even if just a little.

When Yu turns to look at him, Yosuke is smiling calmly and warmly. He gives an airy laugh and shakes his head gently. ]

Hey, you don't need to thank me. We're partners, right?

[covenantal]

Partners.

[ Yu affirms the term with a great deal of warmth. His gratitude for Yosuke goes beyond words. They've already gone through so much in the short time that Yosuke has been here, and really, Yosuke would have every right to still be angry with him. But not only has his best friend forgiven him, but he's here now when Yu needs support the most...

With a quiet sigh and a quirk of his smile, Yu gives Yosuke a nudge. A friendly gesture, the sort of thing they'd normally do.

He's not okay, really. It will be some time before he's okay again. But this -- at least this is something. ]