[Relieved, he smiles weakly and nods in understanding.]
I know, Junpei-san. You're very kind. [He raises his glass and then has a careful sip of it. It still burns, but this time he manages not to break out in a fit of coughing.] I'll tell you if there is something I am unsure of telling elder brother.
I think... you might not need me for much, however. You're very smart, Junpei-san. Elder brother, too. It would be more helpful talking to him, or Nightwing-san, or Kagachi-san.
[Honestly, Hizamaru looks surprised by this? Not unlike a kid who had expected to be passed over when picked for groups. It doesn't seem like he's necessarily bothered by that outcome, just... surprised when it doesn't happen for once.]
Because you have a tendency to listen. [Which for someone like Junpei who usually doesn't get to make his own choices before they're made for him, and for people like Junpei who has had enough people leave and meddle with his life...it says something.] You're consistent and you're smart and you constantly want to do better even when things here keep getting worse. You're easier to talk to because you don't try to come up with an answer that "should" be, but instead "could" be.
[Oh nO. Oh no, oh no, oh no. Very quickly, heat climbs right up his neck and into his face. He stares, lips parting, and raises a hand somewhat like he's getting ready to wave away Junpei's words, to tell Junpei to stop.
But Junpei keeps going, and all he can do is very softly keep shaking his head.]
[But he stops. How many times has he said that since being here? Before being here? "Elder brother" this, "elder brother" that. How many other things has he done on his own and been okay, and none of it affected Higekiri?
But Higekiri means so very much to him, and... it's so hard to forget being cut for being longer.]
Yeah...why wouldn't it be? I think your brother would want you to also be your own person and be happy with that, don't you? [The genjis are very confusing.]
[This time, he doesn't have to get embarrassed to show gratitude. His smile lingers, and he nods his head in acknowledgment.]
Thank you, Junpei-san. There is a lot we do not understand about these bodies or about some of the things in this world, but we will still assist you if you need us.
Your company's perfectly fine, Hizamaru. It's his turn to look at him for a moment.] Sometimes I just want to be around people who're okay with something like this.
[Sometimes you just want to be around one or two people, quietly, and not bombarded with people looking for answers or excess energy.]
[Sorry, he's blushing. At least it's not super obvious or anything.]
If you'd like, Junpei-san, we can... converge after each meeting for a drink? If that's something you were okay with doing. It doesn't have to be every time.
[One of the last few people he wants to have a bad time is Junpei. And he's a sword, so being This Way is just a habit he's unable to break.]
Next time, we can try the sake, and we can drink at another place on the ship. I'll tell you a story about home. Until there's no more stories left to tell.
Okay. I'll find somewhere quiet for us when it's time. [He's!! ugh, puppy happy. If he had a tail, it'd probably be wagging.] You can keep the bourbon, Junpei-san.
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I know, Junpei-san. You're very kind. [He raises his glass and then has a careful sip of it. It still burns, but this time he manages not to break out in a fit of coughing.] I'll tell you if there is something I am unsure of telling elder brother.
I think... you might not need me for much, however. You're very smart, Junpei-san. Elder brother, too. It would be more helpful talking to him, or Nightwing-san, or Kagachi-san.
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[Even though he trusts and likes the other three, Hizamaru somehow puts him at ease enough to be more open and honest with what he's doing.]
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No... Why?
[bc him baby]
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So...why wouldn't I trust someone like that?
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But Junpei keeps going, and all he can do is very softly keep shaking his head.]
Junpei-san...
[He's DYING.]
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What? [He doesn't get it because sometimes Junpei just says thing and then never shares anything again for months.]
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[He! can't figure out what to say! There's so many compliments, and he doesn't think he deserves a single one of them. His eyes lower bashfully.]
Thank you, Junpei-san, but... you don't have to...
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[But he stops. How many times has he said that since being here? Before being here? "Elder brother" this, "elder brother" that. How many other things has he done on his own and been okay, and none of it affected Higekiri?
But Higekiri means so very much to him, and... it's so hard to forget being cut for being longer.]
Is it really okay... to be that way on my own?
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I'm not sure... Elder brother can sometimes be... [He glances off distantly, like he's trying to find the right phrase.] ...proud.
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He can be a proud sword. He is a treasure, after all.
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You're very kind, Junpei-san. Why do you believe in us so greatly...?
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You've never given me a reason not to. I just had to learn to do it myself. [He just learned pretty fast, like, after weekend zero.]
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Thank you, Junpei-san. There is a lot we do not understand about these bodies or about some of the things in this world, but we will still assist you if you need us.
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[For the distraction. For the information. For trusting him enough. Any of the above works.]
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You don’t have to thank me, Junpei-san. If you ever want company, even if mine may not be very entertaining, you can ask.
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[Sometimes you just want to be around one or two people, quietly, and not bombarded with people looking for answers or excess energy.]
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If you'd like, Junpei-san, we can... converge after each meeting for a drink? If that's something you were okay with doing. It doesn't have to be every time.
I know those meetings are often... stressful.
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...yeah. Yeah, I'd like that, actually. It's probably better for both of us isn't it?
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Next time, we can try the sake, and we can drink at another place on the ship. I'll tell you a story about home. Until there's no more stories left to tell.
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There are always stories, Hizamaru. [But it sounds a touch fond.] I'll even let you pick the place next time since I brought us here.
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Okay. I'll find somewhere quiet for us when it's time. [He's!! ugh, puppy happy. If he had a tail, it'd probably be wagging.] You can keep the bourbon, Junpei-san.
I don't really have a need for it.
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