I'm already back in our territory, I can be there, knock knock, now.

Come in.

He comes in, takes his shoes off, takes a seat.

Haru hands over his homework copies, and a notebook update. And when those are awayed he hands Yutaka the list. "This one's for you to read, not stash."

"Okay..." He accepts it and starts reading. Then he finishes reading. Then he looks back up at Haru and blinks expectantly.

"...well, what do you think."

"I'm uh. Not sure what I'd do with a vacation loop. —that's maybe not the most productive response. I'll try to produce one. Um."

"If it were me in a time loop then on my vacation loop I'd... go to the southern hemisphere to experience not-winter weather. I'd catch up on my reading, watch movies, fuck around with magic maybe. I don't know what you like to do in your downtime."

He stares at Haru.

"Is the thing you like to do in your downtime 'me'."

"...yes."

"What did you use to -

- lots of other boys, right."

"Mmhm. Sports sometimes. House parties when those happened. Travel sometimes. Anime and manga and BL. Tumblr."

"And now none of that appeals?"

"Not without you."

"I can write myself a letter designed specifically for loops in which the plan is that you seduce me and whisk me away to Australia for a month?" Haru says after a couple false starts.

The noise Yutaka makes can only be described as a whimper.

"...what."

He covers his eyes. "Haru I want you more than I knew it was possible to want someone. I love you. The thought of creating a, what, pretend loop? A taste of what I can never have? No. I can't, I can't do that." Another whimper. "I-if you want me to I will b-but. I don't think it'll have a positive effect on my 'mental health'."

"No obviously don't do it if it'll make you worse, but - what do you mean, pretend loop, I'd be writing myself a letter that reads 'magic's real, we have a multi-time-loop plan to save Tokyo but it's taking ages and for time traveler maintenance reasons you need to go be doted on on Bondi Beach for a month, it'll be a blast, here is lots of proof that I am you and authorized to decide that's what you're doing now' -"

"Because I don't want you for a loop I want you forever. This is like—giving a recovering alcoholic a sip of a drink or something, it just makes it hurt more when I have to let go again."

"Oh," says Haru very quietly.

"I, I'm not, I don't, just, I—"

"I - Jesus. What do I do with you," Haru sighs.

"Whatever you want," he says, voice wavering.