[ Now, breaks between the sessions'll have to be condensed. Mine isn't troubled by that but he wonders, right after saying, if his answer mitigates his absence. ]
Could you accompany me?
[ Mine gives his focus to the road when it really belongs with expecting Nishikiyama's answer. ]
I want you to see it, not to hold my hand, but as an expression.
Of course now you want to spend more time together.
[ Nishikiyama once again pokes at the fact that Mine had ditched him, attentive to how little difference there is in spending a morning at his apartment versus the generous time in private alone with one another Mine seems to hope for now. ]
Not that I mind going if you can keep me entertained and a conversation going for that many hours. Are you confident without drinks?
[ It remains a larger divide in Mine's mind; he has more confidence as a yakuza than as a man. Strange to put it that wayβhe doesn't think it consciously. Of course, Mine bristles and he doesn't look over. ]
I'm fine without drinks.
[ But he also understands that Nishikiyama doesn't refuse him. He lets his relief be palpable. ]
I'm glad, actually, if this lets me make up for leaving too soon.
I'm not sure how long I want to hold onto my grudge yet. The hangover I had after was one of the worst in my life.
[ And with that, Nishikiyama unwittingly admits to having been upset without even realizing it. It's due to the straightforward conversation. As the Tojo headquarters comes into view, Nishikiyama thinks aloud. ]
Anyway, I've got something that'll help take the edge off your colors.
[ Leaning in his car seat, he comes to unpocket a mysterious case of white pills. ]
[ Ah. There's nothing Mine can say, pointing out that he was right, but here's a place for his atonement. He also agrees. ]
I know, Kanda made me keep drinking. [ The patriarch, actually.
Pulling into HQ, briefly Mine's left to think about a hand on his knee again, Nsihikiyama leaning over. Then, sooner instead, he takes the case held at him and pushes his thumb in near the lip of the lid to pop it open. ]
What are these?
[ Small and nondescript. Uppers? Downers? Just something for pain? He stays sitting back in the driver's seat, returning his gaze to Nishikiyama but not the box. Mine doesn't think it's unreasonable to imagine a crime boss can get his hands on drugs. Even without an answer, he feels nervous about the prospect of taking something. ]
[ It's got to be. Anxiety does tug on the corner of Mine's mouth from the lack of an explanation, but it's not enough to let in obsessive ideation. He remembers the first night after getting the linework in and only taking something after. It wasn't that long ago either. ]
Just one?
[ He's receptive. Mine holds the case, open but he hasn't taken anything out. ]
[ With what Nishikiyama spares him in terms of advice, Mine pockets the case. He'll give it back later. There's conversation that can wait until Nishikiyama is done, when he's preparing to get out. Mine doesn't. ]
Should I stay here?
[ He'll drive him back of course. It's headquarters that Mine's only seen a handful of times from the inside, yet. ]
[ Because if others see Mine specially set aside together with Nishikiyama too many times, word will spread. They might mistake him for the frontrunner of captain or similarβ speculation and whispers to which Nishikiyama is unwelcoming. The car door closes behind him and he rises, crossing the long stretch of the entrance to let himself in. ]
[ Moments of Nishikiyama's absence pass while Mine is waiting, only for another car, black with dark windows, pulls up behind Mine on the side of the road. There's a flicker of recognition that crosses the driver's expression when they parkβ a man with a scar across his nose bridge and cheek, and another man sitting shotgun to him.
Kazama and Kashiwagi let themselves out of the vehicle and head into the headquarters afterward. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2024-01-27 09:16 pm (UTC)[ Before Mine had gone away the following morning- ]
You go yesterday too?
no subject
Date: 2024-01-28 09:17 am (UTC)[ Now, breaks between the sessions'll have to be condensed. Mine isn't troubled by that but he wonders, right after saying, if his answer mitigates his absence. ]
Could you accompany me?
[ Mine gives his focus to the road when it really belongs with expecting Nishikiyama's answer. ]
I want you to see it, not to hold my hand, but as an expression.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-28 01:24 pm (UTC)[ Nishikiyama once again pokes at the fact that Mine had ditched him, attentive to how little difference there is in spending a morning at his apartment versus the generous time in private alone with one another Mine seems to hope for now. ]
Not that I mind going if you can keep me entertained and a conversation going for that many hours. Are you confident without drinks?
no subject
Date: 2024-01-28 07:00 pm (UTC)I'm fine without drinks.
[ But he also understands that Nishikiyama doesn't refuse him. He lets his relief be palpable. ]
I'm glad, actually, if this lets me make up for leaving too soon.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-28 07:20 pm (UTC)[ And with that, Nishikiyama unwittingly admits to having been upset without even realizing it. It's due to the straightforward conversation. As the Tojo headquarters comes into view, Nishikiyama thinks aloud. ]
Anyway, I've got something that'll help take the edge off your colors.
[ Leaning in his car seat, he comes to unpocket a mysterious case of white pills. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-28 10:41 pm (UTC)I know, Kanda made me keep drinking. [ The patriarch, actually.
Pulling into HQ, briefly Mine's left to think about a hand on his knee again, Nsihikiyama leaning over. Then, sooner instead, he takes the case held at him and pushes his thumb in near the lip of the lid to pop it open. ]
What are these?
[ Small and nondescript. Uppers? Downers? Just something for pain? He stays sitting back in the driver's seat, returning his gaze to Nishikiyama but not the box. Mine doesn't think it's unreasonable to imagine a crime boss can get his hands on drugs. Even without an answer, he feels nervous about the prospect of taking something. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-29 09:46 am (UTC)[ It's simply phrased. Nishikiyama's lack of explanation might invite paranoia in someone who doesn't trust him. ]
It hurts like hell if you go in without anything. I was a dumbass when I went in for my first session.
[ He'd hurried to go before Kiryu. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-29 10:40 am (UTC)[ It's got to be. Anxiety does tug on the corner of Mine's mouth from the lack of an explanation, but it's not enough to let in obsessive ideation. He remembers the first night after getting the linework in and only taking something after. It wasn't that long ago either. ]
Just one?
[ He's receptive. Mine holds the case, open but he hasn't taken anything out. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-29 12:16 pm (UTC)[ Unhelpfully. He unbuckles his seatbelt as Mine takes the medicine case from him. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-29 04:30 pm (UTC)Should I stay here?
[ He'll drive him back of course. It's headquarters that Mine's only seen a handful of times from the inside, yet. ]
1/2
Date: 2024-01-29 06:22 pm (UTC)[ Because if others see Mine specially set aside together with Nishikiyama too many times, word will spread. They might mistake him for the frontrunner of captain or similarβ speculation and whispers to which Nishikiyama is unwelcoming. The car door closes behind him and he rises, crossing the long stretch of the entrance to let himself in. ]
2/2
Date: 2024-01-29 06:26 pm (UTC)Kazama and Kashiwagi let themselves out of the vehicle and head into the headquarters afterward. ]