spirits_and_such_offices

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Minegishi was in the greenhouse. They spent a lot of time there, even when they weren't practicing at using their powers. They felt more comfortable, somehow, being around plants rather than people. Not that they were particularly fond of the people they had surround themselves with.

Minegishi flipped a page int their book, only to glance up as they heard someone approaching. They were hardly surprised when they saw who their visitor was.

"What is it?" they asked. They should probably set their book aside, but they didn't particularly care to. And even if they did, their visitor wouldn't be able to see it anyway. With his eyes, anyway.

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His eyebrow raised. “If you insist. Truth or dare?”

Edited 2024-05-03 15:16 (UTC)

"Truth." Minegishi didn't even want to imagine what Shimazaki would dare.

“If you could only choose two other members of the org to be left standing after world domination, who would you choose?”

"Other than you?" It was worth clarifying. If Shimazaki wasn't one of the two, it was going to make things far more difficult.

“Yeah.” Shimazaki paused. “Wait, other than me?”

"Is it that surprising?"

Shimazaki just laughed, his head dangling over the edge of the bench. It’s not like Minegishi ever cared about flattering him or impressing him, which was exactly what he liked about them. If anything, he was prepared for some denigrating remark about expecting to be included.

“Now I’m embarrassed.” He felt a vine slither against the back of his neck—was it trying to keep him from falling? “Well…if you really feel that way…we can just say three’s a crowd and leave it at that.”

"That's probably for the best." Minegishi either disliked or was indifferent to the rest of CLAW. They weren't sure if they'd go so far to say they were fond of Shimazaki, but he was probably the closest one to it.

Shimazaki sat up, giving his head a good shake and smoothing his hair back into place.

“Alright. Your turn. I’ll pick truth too.”

That wasn't what Minegishi was expecting, but they could work with this.

"You like him, don't you? The brat."

Shimazaki's expression dropped in betrayal. "Seriously?"

"Do you think I'd joke about truth or dare?"

Minegishi just wanted to see him squirm. Yeah, it was definitely that. No one had managed it until Minegishi right then. Still…was there no safe harbor from his unfortunate babysitting reality!?

“I don’t hate him. He’s a child.” Hatred was a waste of an emotion but hating a child was just pathetic.

"I said that you liked him. I didn't say you didn't hate him."

Shimazaki blinked out and when he blinked back in, he was side-by-side with Minegishi. He was smiling again, but there was a tiny wince buried in the crease of skin around his eyes.

"Fine. I like him." He cocked his hip against the work table. "But not as much as I like you."

Minegishi let out a disbelieving snort. "Save it for someone who will believe it."

“No. I’d rather save it for you.”

"Sure." Minegishi didn't know why Shimazaki acted like this sometimes. It was just easier to go with it than butt heads with him. Even if they didn't believe a word of it.

Sighing, Shimazaki stepped back. “Well, at least Serizawa-kun is indulging me…no telling if he’ll just back out though. At this rate, the brat will be the only one I’ve gotten to drink with lately…”

"When did I say I wouldn't have a drink with you?"

“Oh? I guess you really like me after all.”

Minegishi snorted ever-so-slightly. "I wouldn't take it that far."

It was almost imperceptible, but Shimazaki blinked in and out as soon as Mingeshi finished their retort. When he re-appeared, he had something behind his back.

“I’m not doing this to change your opinion. Just making a point.”

Then, he stepped closer - much closer than he usually got to them. If there was anyone’s space Shimazaki respected, it was Minegishi’s (followed by the Boss who at least appreciated having his cigarettes lighted for him.) Shimazaki pulled out what he was obscuring—a small 5” pot with a plant.

A cacti. They grew in small clusters, dark green and notched with bright hair-like thorns erupting from them.

“I don’t know what these are. I can’t touch them, either. But an old lady gifted them to me after I did her a little favor years ago. They’ve stayed alive this long somehow, and I’m a little attached, so it’s better you have it.”

Minegishi was strangely touched by the gesture. Shimazaki wasn't really attached to much of anything.

"If it means something to you, you should be the one to hang onto it."

“That’s never a good idea. Besides, it’ll die with me. I’m trying to be a little responsible.” Shimazaki nudged Minegishi’s fingers with the pot. “Besides, old gal said it’ll flower eventually. Kind of wasted on me.”