“How much affection? Well, on the one hand, I am confident he is aware - at least to some degree - of Ziggy’s desires.” Indeed, Isamu had initially been surprised that Minoru even realized he was being flirted with, and later that he’d allowed it to continue. It was then that he deduced the impossible had occurred. Minoru actually liked Ziggy back, even if he wasn’t interested in a sexual relationship. “But on the other, our kind are not empaths. No matter how open-minded we perceive ourselves to be, we can only see things through our own limited perspectives.”

If he could pick up on Minoru’s thoughts, Ziggy might have caught a few fleeting memories of himself frantically shoving Minoru away for not being Hiroki, wedged in between being bathed and carried. There was kindness there. Acceptance there. Love there too.

But Minoru was quickly distracted by trying to find a more suitable corner of the venue. When he couldn’t, he had to admit that as awkward as the backseat of a car would be, it would have to do.

“Better than nothing.” He finally decided. Minoru turned back to his brother. “Hey, Isamu! We’re going out to his Dad’s car! You good to hang for a while?”

Isamu stammered for a moment before nodding. “I have no early morning obligations that need to be attended to. And have found pleasant company...”

“Great!!” Minoru happily reached for Ziggy’s hand. “Can’t wait to show you what I’ve learned!”

Isamu turned back to Newton, amending his previous answer, “and then again, he may be completely clueless.”