paraboxical | idk we're going with it

Then consider it done! There'll be a whole bunch of gingerbread cookies symbolically conveying our friendship coming your way for Christmas, Minapyon.

[is this the truth

is this a lie

it depends on how bored senri gets and if the dorm kitchen is free, apparently]

That's a sight I have to see.

... Hm. I'll be looking forward to it.

[He seems...okay with it.

ANYWAY.]

Do you really like baking, or something?

Mm, sometimes! I got bored one time over break and picked up a recipe book just to teach myself something new?

[this is a lie.]

But you're funny, Minapyon. I'm not saying that just because I feel like making a mess in the kitchen. I think it'd be more fun to see a different kind of expression on your face, to be honest!

[but at least that really is the truth.]

Is that right...? That's pretty impressive, learning how to bake over break like that.

[Huh!!

Anyway...!!]

I can't imagine why you'd feel that way about something like that, though. I make plenty of expressions. [You Do Not, Minato.]

Besides, for me... any gift would make me happy, I think. Isn't it more about being in someone's thoughts that's really important, and not the gift itself?

Mm... Minapyon, can you take a selfie with me soon? There's a Christmas tree and some pretty displays around here, right? I need to post on social media anyway, so....

[also so he can see just how limited his expression range is]

[but senri pauses at that sort of explanation, tilting his head at the thought.

maybe minato's way of gift giving and receiving is correct.

but aside from small gifts from fans, and people who like his work, senri doesn't receive many gifts. he doesn't really know what it's like to be in people's thoughts. the bitterness of that thought swirls briefly before he releases it with an exhale of his breath into the cold air]

... and I still want to give you something that you'd like, that takes a little more hard work than a gift card or something.

I think it's nice to see people receive gifts that make it clear that someone's paying attention to them, and all their likes and dislikes. That kind of familiarity... it's cute! Really cute.

[it's not something he knows - but it's still something he likes to see.]

[There's a long pause as Minato considers that. It's sweet, really...but in return, doesn't that mean it's only fair that he gets something for Senri that's just as meaningful?

Isn't that what's only right, for someone who he considers a friend?]

Yeah, of course we can take a selfie. Whenever is fine.

[His expression won't change either way.

But more importantly...]

Anyway...I guess I'll just have to find the perfect present for you, too, then.

Since someone who's paying so much attention to my likes and dislikes...deserves something that suits them perfectly in return, right? I'll be looking forward to your reaction on Christmas.

[ . . . and Senri can't help a laugh at that, from how the warmth of it blooms from his chest and stretches out. His hand comes up to his mouth to try to muffle the noise, embarrassing as it feels.

He thinks it's a little unfair.

He's lied about half of his interests, so... Ah, it's not like he can just say that either, so...]

Even knowing that you want to do that is more than enough for me.

[Given the uneven playing field he's set up in his pursuit of maintaining interesting conversation - ah, well.]

But I'll look forward to it anyway...! Thank you in advance. ♪

Mm... no, don't thank me yet.

[He shakes his head firmly!! There's a lot he doesn't know about Senri, which means he has a lot of work to do.

But either way--]

Perfect means perfect, you know...? So if it's not perfect, then I don't want you to thank me until I find just the right present.

Ooh? Giving yourself a challenge, I see! Okay, okay, then I'll be strict on you.

[... well, no, he won't. Because he's not the type of person to deliver bad news, and he'd much rather see Minato happy even if he doesn't quite meet the bar of 'perfection'.

Though en route to the antique shop, this is probably when they'll pass by some giant Santa's Workshop-type Christmas decoration and Senri will loop his arm with Minato's to get him to pause - ]

Now I think you promised me a selfie...!

I'll be looking forward to that, then, too.

[Minato sounds like he means it, too...what a weirdo.

ANWAY, THEN HE'S BEING YANKED INTO A SELFIE.

Which he takes as solemnly as ever, blinking when his personal space is invaded.]

Oh... sure, okay. Over here...?

[he is a weirdo and senri will try very hard to forget this conversation because he doesn't know what to do when people are sincerely considerate toward him

anyway selfie! senri's phone is already out and held up at an angle as he swivels to and fro

minato is going to be pulled around as senri looks for the best selfie lighting..... it's an art.]

Mm, no, more this way...? Oh, can you see enough of the background? What do you think?

[what's a winter without some minato manhandling]

[Minato won't forget so he's just gonna have to deal with it.

But.

Yeah for now he's great at being manhandled so it's fine.

He doesn't even flinch.]

Mm...

[...]

I think I'm amazed your arm hasn't gone a little numb yet...

[Holding up the phone for that long!!]

I've trained for this moment.

[shut up, senri

but regardless he finally turns them around to a point where he thinks the lighting is good, and they can see enough of the winter background and he flashes a smile at the camera]

Smile, Minapyon...!

[And Minato just kind of

Lifts his chin to meet the camera and...

Maybe smiles???

It's so subtle an expression you can't see it in the photo anyway.]

[ . . . senri takes one picture but then

still doesn't put the camera down]

Another one, Minapyon! Maybe a tooth smile? That'd be cute.

[he's fuckin Trying okay]

[... .. ...]

Like this?

[N... no, Minato.

Not like that.]

[okay but it makes Senri laugh and he snaps a picture anyway even so - ]

What? What is that?

[BE NICE, SENRI]

An...expression?

[He doesn't seem bothered, anyway.]

I think your smiles are wide enough for the both of us, to be honest, Senri-san.

You know smiles can't be divided into fractions, right? We can't just split a smile....

[but he laughs even as he flashes a peace sign]

Okay, okay, last one. Peace! You too, Minapyon...!!

[Okay, a peace sign he can do.]

Peace...!

[help him]

[aaaaand it's a wrap!!

senri finally lets his arm fall as he brings his phone closer between the two of them so minato can see too as he flicks through the pictures they took

starting with the last one]

Ah... Minapyon, your gap moe is surprisingly powerful.

[that was a bad sentence]

[Oh my god.]

... You think so?

I think you're the one who brightens up the picture, Senri-san.

[They both need to be stopped.]

Oohh? Do you think I'm dazzling?

[this is horrible what's going on]

Of course I do.

[I mean, what else were you expecting.]

You have a way of brightening up places where you are.

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