Nobody's listening? Good...

A small sigh, and he sat down beside him, moving his ar around the shoulders and gently, soothingly, rubbing Minato's upper arm.

Maybe it helped, just a little, but he was more ashamed that Shuuhei saw him like this. He'd never cried in front of another guy before. Well, his psychologist, but he'd been nine and the shrink about 50. That'd been okay. This.. this was just weak. He didn't shrug off the hand, though.

And Shuuhei... Well. Kept up the good work.

Eventually, the tears dried, and he hiccupped silently. "Sorry," he said in a low voice.

"Don't be. Everyone needs to once in a while." a soft smile was sent his way.

"Yeah.. well.. sorry I.. yelled at you. And stuff. I'm not.. It's not you I'm mad at."

"I know. Well, almost everybody take it out on someone else, at some point."

"Yeah..." he sniffled and wiped some of the snot off his face. "I gotta.. I just dunno what to do," he said bleakly.

"Yeah, well... I wish I could help. I really do. But I think all I can do, really, is to be the shoulder for you to cry on..." he muttered, shrugging.

"Heh.. I won't.. it won't happen again.. thanks," muttered Minato, looking down and blushing.

"No need to thank me. If it helped you, just the least bit, that's enough for me." a gentle smile.

"Heh..." a small insecure smile. "Guess.. well. Nothing's changed, really..." He sighed. "Does feel a little better. Thanks."

"You're welcome." a final, gentle pat to the shoulder, a small smile.

"Soah. What do you do when.. uhm.. you're mad at your.. uhm.. boyfriend?"

"Ehm... I might not seem the type, but I do like to make pranks to get back at them." he scratched his neck slightly. "When it's the smaller stuff, of course. If it's something we haven't been able to discuss, then... We kinda slid apart. But then again, I didn't really, truly loved any of my exes..." he muttered. "Always had another person in mind."

Minato sighed again. "I.. It just seems like.. Like this is the sort of thing that can't be solved." And then.. they'd drift apart?

"Well.... I guess the big question is... Is she worth the troubles to you? If, then, for God's sake, keep holding onto her. If you really do love her from the bottom of your heart, you'll regret it, otherwise."

"Iah..." It felt really, really weird to discuss this with another guy. A gay .. uhm.. bisexual guy. "I.. I dunno, I do.. I mean, I.. she.. But I just can't..."

"Well. I'd advice you to figure out your feelings towards her, not her decisions, before you decide to do anything."

Minato shrugged. "I thought... we were going to be together. Always."

"Well... You'll have to figure that out. Together. Either way... I'm hoping the best for you guys. You really do seem to be good for one another, although you may not... Well... Agree on a certain thing."

"Pretty big thing."

"Well... Yeah." he sighed. "All I can say is... Try to be understanding of her viewpoint, as well. Don't just focus on your own. Relationships consist of many compromises, after all."

"Hm." Minato looked grim.

"I know I can't tell you what to do, but... Mull things over a few days before you decide anything drastic." he stood back up, walked over to pick up his guitar and his messenger bag.