[CLOSED] If the sharpest thing where you come is a blade of grass

[spes_phthisica]

Who: Hijikata and the Bad Idea Bears
What: Souji has invited Yamato over to Hijikata's temple! Because they're clearly going to be friends forever and should do friend things. Like beat each other senseless sparring. Also Hijikata is most likely Concerned.
When: April 23rd?
Where: The Hachiman temple
Warnings: Violent, obsessed little punks. Possible mentions of Hijikatas past Trauma Conga Line, so death of friends, death of family, tuberculosis is awful, lots of violence.

***

Souji has already decided that it's his mission to make Yamato feel better about things. Since they seem to naturally understand each other so well, it only makes sense, right? And he likes Ayumu already as well, and he'll be indirectly helping her out too, since she's the one taking care of Yamato for now (without reflecting on it, he automatically doesn't think of her as Yamato's God, not the way he defines it).

He also enjoys Yamato's company, and is really happy to have him over on a visit. This has manifested in a lot of giddy excitement which has been spilling over everywhere all day, and a lot of energy too, which he spends cleaning up and getting the ducks fed. He really doesn't like cleaning much - it's boring - but it's something that needs to be done, and right now he's even content in the chore, since it gives him something to occupy himself with.

Hijikata will no doubt have noticed his behavior, and Souji has of course told him that his friend is coming over, so it's not exactly hard to pinpoint the cause. Souji is certain that they'll get along fine, anyway, since he and Yamato are so very alike. That only makes sense.

Comments

[koukai_kirai]

[Hijikata hums a little, watching the shinki with curious, calculating eyes. He could try and explain it from perspectives he imagines someone might have -- Hell, if he were a shinki, he'd likely refuse to work for any god who didn't meet his standards, and if they wouldn't release him, that would have to involve going nora -- but honestly, he mostly feels similarly, in that it's difficult to understand the casual way people around here have treated splitting their loyalties. So...]

Do you need to understand the way someone else lives their own life?

[okitactless]

[It's a good question, and one that actually gives him pause. Ayumu had done her best to explain her stance, and he'd seen and heard other people talk about their reasoning, but it's never really made any sense to him. It's kind of nice, actually, that Hijikata doesn't immediately leap to explanations and rationale.]

Ayumu-san is close to one of them. [It's not really an answer, but it's the reason this issue has been so prominent in his mind lately.] So I worry about her.

/cries forever in hindsight

[koukai_kirai]

Ayumu is?

[It's... nearly a relief to hear that that's what has Yamato worried. Ayumu isn't the sort to let her guard down easily. Either the nora in question is worth a bit of trust, or she's sure to be keeping an especially close eye on them.]

She's a clever woman. You think the nora's likely to make more trouble than she can handle?

pain and suffering...

[okitactless]

Is it worth the risk to find out?

[The fact that she can't be sure, isn't that cause enough for concern? Ayumu trusts Axel, she's made that much clear. But what if that trust is misplaced? He still doesn't believe Ayumu was the first to nora Axel, which probably says more than enough about his views on Ayumu herself.]

Even if they didn't intend to harm her... I can't help but worry that she's going to get hurt. [He worried the same thing about Tsuzuki and Elsa, when they went to hell. STOP PROVING HIM RIGHT YOU GUYS GEEZ]

[koukai_kirai]

[There's something about that simple sentiment -- I can't help but worry that she's going to get hurt -- that strikes a painful chord in him. It only shows briefly, just a little flash in his eyes and no other change in expression, but it reminds him of the last time he saw Ayumu alive -- and of the long days when she was gone, and of the state she was in when they finally found her.]

[He takes a breath before he answers, using that moment to try and get his own mind under control.]

Maybe. We'll just have to keep a close eye on the situation to keep that from happening, won't we?

[okitactless]

[It helps, that Hijikata isn't immediately dismissing him. He seems to think it will be okay--but because Ayumu is strong, not because Axel is trustworthy. It's reassuring, and Yamato's surprised to find a little bit of the tension leaving his shoulders.

Then again, this is Souji's god. Maybe it's not that surprising after all.

He smiles, nodding firmly.]

You're right. We can protect her.

[koukai_kirai]

[That conclusion gets a tiny, sad, tired little smile out of him.]

We'll both have to work hard to look after her. Souji will, too.

[The bonds between gods and their shinki aren't the only ones worth protecting here. The Shinsengumi are his family, and whether or not they remember that, he's going to take care of them this time. Swords included.]