Minato takes another moment to think about what she's saying. Of course he's happy to see them again. But is he happy enough to see them to wish the pain they already felt at losing Minako double as they lost Minato, too, in the end?
Finally, after what seems like an eternity (then again eternity seems like nothing if he doesn't count), he slides down the wall next to her. He's trying to keep it together. He's trying so hard to not let that pain leak out.
Everything ends. He knows that. He's always known that. Nothing is permanent. His relationship with SEES, that bond, that link, that family... is over in everything but their hearts. It's ended. He has to think of it that way. And maybe it's selfish of him because he's almost afraid of getting them hurt again. Maybe if he stays distant he can save his friends more pain.
His friends who were willing to give their lives to keep him standing. His friends whose voices carried to him even as he fought Nyx, herself. Shinjiro and Ryoji. He can handle them. They died before him. They didn't need to hurt because of his fate. They didn't need to feel that loss.
Of course it's worth it to have SEES back. It's worth it to Minato.
But is it worth it to them? Is it even fair to double their loss? How can he vocalize that? How can he explain the way he's afraid, when he can't even figure it out himself?
"... It's better this way." Not knowing. Not getting close. Not getting attached.
No it's not. It's a hundred times worse. But he's happy just to see them okay and safe and happy, too. That is, after all, what he died for, isn't it? To protect their futures?
no subject
Finally, after what seems like an eternity (then again eternity seems like nothing if he doesn't count), he slides down the wall next to her. He's trying to keep it together. He's trying so hard to not let that pain leak out.
Everything ends. He knows that. He's always known that. Nothing is permanent. His relationship with SEES, that bond, that link, that family... is over in everything but their hearts. It's ended. He has to think of it that way. And maybe it's selfish of him because he's almost afraid of getting them hurt again. Maybe if he stays distant he can save his friends more pain.
His friends who were willing to give their lives to keep him standing. His friends whose voices carried to him even as he fought Nyx, herself. Shinjiro and Ryoji. He can handle them. They died before him. They didn't need to hurt because of his fate. They didn't need to feel that loss.
Of course it's worth it to have SEES back. It's worth it to Minato.
But is it worth it to them? Is it even fair to double their loss? How can he vocalize that? How can he explain the way he's afraid, when he can't even figure it out himself?
"... It's better this way." Not knowing. Not getting close. Not getting attached.
No it's not. It's a hundred times worse. But he's happy just to see them okay and safe and happy, too. That is, after all, what he died for, isn't it? To protect their futures?