sunshrouded | x IC INBOX

[Yeah, you're not getting that out of him at the moment, Tenka. Instead, Sousei does pry open his eyes, because as fond as he is at this moment, and as glad as he is that Tenka is back to normal--

The shaking and the drawn out name are both really irritating nonetheless.

He arches an eyebrow.]

...We are not going to get along. [And he's certainly not going to apologize for that one. It's not his fault. He's not nice to Shirasu, no, but he doesn't go around provoking him first, okay.] I'm not sure what more you want to hear.

I know that you're really bad at having emotions but they definitely exist.

[Which is to say that he heard a lot of other things in the conversation with Shirasu - which was to say that Shirasu was picking exactly at the fact that Sousei didn't know any onmyouji skills. Something that Sousei admitted was bothering him just earlier in the conversation. Maybe Tenka didn't hear the bit on the phone but it's a little hard to misunderstand 'ineffectual flailing'.

He's not Kiiko - he's never been instinctively protective over Sousei and his pride.

But for some reason, when it's Shirasu, Tenka feels all the more motivated to make sure that none of it actually bothered Sousei.]

He knows how to hit where it hurts - so I'm gonna ask again. Are you okay? I told you that it's not a big deal if you can't smell ghosts or whatever the Abe do.

[Smell.....ghosts.............. ok tenka sure.

Admittedly, Sousei is not and never has been attached to his family. He has the family name. He has the family sword. But he does not know them, and they gave him up without a moment's hesitation or care. Why should he have cared much for whether or not he was a worthy successor to the onmyouji name?

...Except.

Here, it would actually be useful. His sword skills are as well, of course, and he does not regret picking up the sword and learning all he could from Taiko-- but if he could have done more, he would have been able to help Soramaru and Tenka, and others--not in so ineffectual a way as 'ineffectual flailing' and depending on his family sword.

He huffs at that, faintly, which is probably more an indication than anything that he is bothered, a bit, if he's bothering to be exasperated at Tenka's prodding.]

I am fine. [That much is true. Bothered or not, he doesn't really think it's enough to classify himself as "unfine".] ...Though my inability is tedious, I do not regret choosing the sword instead.

[But...he's starting to get the feeling that it would've been worth knowing, in a place like this, and of all people, the one with the Abe last name can't even exorcise a ghost.]

[As expected, Tenka's paying more attention to the huff than the "I am fine". Because now that he thinks about it, Sousei can be chased by monsters or demonic Shinsengumi Captains and still have the nerve to say that he's fine. But at least the fact that he's elaborating now is something that Tenka can pull a little bit more information out of.

Still though he's just snorting faintly at that.]

Let's be honest - if you picked up the onmyouji route instead, would you still be able to use the sword as well as you do? "Woe is me, I'm Sousei and I can't be good at everything."

[Though this is about the time that Tenka's cracking himself up with his own jokes, though his laugh is at least less obnoxious than normal. It's reminiscent of how this would go when they were kids too, once the nightmares faded away from memory and Tenka was left obscuring his laughter into the pillow before he woke up their parents.

It's sort of similar now, except they're older.

Now he's trying not to wake up the kids.]

You made a good choice. Not like Dad would've been able to teach you anything anyway.

[That's not even a joke??? God, Tenka, you are The Worst. Still...it's vaguely reassuring nonetheless. Sure, he can't be good at everything. He put his everything into learning the sword, and it put him where he is today. That's worth remembering.

He knows his own inability will rankle at him, especially in moments like these when it would legitimately have resolved so many problems-- if only.

But Tenka's right. His family...was the Kumou family, not the Abe family. There was nobody to really teach him onmyoudou. He just needs to remember that (easy) and not be too exasperated when there are ghosts everywhere and he can't do much about it (much harder).]

That is true. As I said, I don't regret it.

[... .... ....... okay but--]

You were watching that entire confrontation? [If it...can even be called that when instead of yelling they were typing things out as quickly as possible at each other....]

[Tenka's shoulders are honestly still shaking with laughter at his own joke because to him it was a joke, alright. Making fun of Sousei is always a good time especially since literally no one else does it in good humor. Everyone is either part of the Sousei fan club or apparently Shirasu. Tenka makes it a point to be original when it comes to his partner.

Luckily he's still in his good humor when the next question come around because honestly-]

Yeah. It was really harsh.

[That much is something he can say objectively. Though eventually his laughter dies off completely as he shakes his head, partially in exasperation and partially because he really had no idea what to do.]

You were both deaf so nothing I said reached either of you. Mostly I was just wondering why you didn't just walk away....

[Because he knew that it was going to get bad.

He just didn't think that it would get as bad as it did.]

[...And he sighs at that, silently, though the movement is apparent by the way his shoulders move. Why didn't he walk away? Because it bothers him that Shirasu walks free when he doesn't deserve to. It bothers him that Shirasu has the gall to ask after Tenka and Soramaru's health as if he wasn't prepared to let both of them die--or worse, in Soramaru's case.

He can't walk away immediately, because he can't let it go.

He's the captain of the guard dogs, Tenka. It's only natural that he would be one himself when it comes to the people that are important to him.]

... I did. Perhaps I should have sooner.

[A wry, slight quirk of his lips, and he shakes his head slightly.]

My original intention had been as I stated. [To get rid of the ghosts--Shirasu's ghosts or no. The ghosts were the bigger problem.]

You should've sooner.

[It's sort of Tenka's automatic response because in all honesty, logically, he thinks it makes sense. What's the point of arguing with Shirasu? Shirasu didn't want the help and it was ultimately a waste of time that was exchanged in short, passive-aggressive and sometimes genuinely aggressive text messages.

Even if Sousei's messages were civil enough, his body language and facial expressions were honestly just barely there.

Tenka lives happily and foolishly but he's not an actual idiot - especially when it comes to reading the emotions and actions of the people closest to him. Shirasu can have a sharp tongue but he's never been that sharp around the Kumous, not even around the policemen.

The same could be said of Sousei. For all of their arguing and banter, Tenka hadn't felt the actual cutting edge of Sousei's words since the day of his execution.

The exchange between the two was nothing but unpleasant reminders.

Regardless, his shoulders just slump as he sighs and settles his cheek on the pillow again. Even though he should probably consider his words a bit more, of course he doesn't-]

You don't want Shirasu's help - I doubt you even want him breathing the same air as you based on those nasty looks you gave him - so of course he doesn't want yours either, Sousei.

[ . . . . which honestly sucks but-]

Thanks for trying at least....

[Of course he doesn't--and he doesn't need to. Sousei knows that. Perhaps that was a jab as well...an offer of help from someone who did not even want to see his face. A reminder of how Sousei can tackle the supernatural head-on with the assistance of his sword...just like the Orochi.

Though honestly, the main thing is simply--]

It was not for him. [He would not do anything for Shirasu at this point. He may save his life, were it to be in danger, but it would only be for Tenka and Soramaru again. Not for Shirasu.]

I decided the ghosts were troublesome enough that they needed to be removed.

[You know, since one of them rendered him deaf, and another stole Tenka's body, and still another took Soramaru's.]

As for the delay... [... really, it's that he's human too, with human emotions, no matter how bad he is at showing them. He doesn't like Shirasu. He hates him for what he did to the Kumou family. So when he's getting nasty messages in return, it's all too easy to fall down to that level. Even for him.]

... I will attempt to avoid it in the future.

... s'fine.

[Tenka sighs in response to that, taking a second to just bury his face into the pillow, flopping because in truth, it's exhausting. Emotions are exhausting and this conversation exhausting, important as it is. It's so hard for him to figure out what to do. If it was anyone else who would be so aggressive to Sousei, Tenka would've already clocked them without remorse.

But no, it's Shirasu. And Shirasu is the only other man who Tenka would've been willing to make enemies for, if it meant defending him and keeping his pride intact.

What's he supposed to do when those two important people of his openly dislike each other? It's a case of Sousei actually having emotions and Shirasu acting of his own accord, both of which are also things that Tenka would support - except for the fact that Sousei's emotions are negative and Shirasu's actions are also negative.

When he lifts his head again, he's setting his arms to rest underneath him, letting his chin lay on top of them.]

You guys... I don't know what to do with either of you. As long as you don't physically hurt each other....

It's not really something I get a say in, is it?

[Sousei doesn't bother to shift when Tenka flops. Tenka is the sort of person who has always flopped around, everywhere. It means he's comfortable--and Sousei considers that important. This isn't home, but if it's a place where Tenka can feel comfortable enough to lie about like this, it's good enough.

Until they make it back to their proper home.

Because honestly, the conclusion Tenka just came to is one that Sousei had always known was inevitable. Of course Tenka can't step in here. He would have to pick one over the other, then--and Sousei has no interests in forcing a choice on him like that. The last time, he'd had to choose between the Yamainu and his brothers, and he chose his family.

Sousei doesn't really want to even consider what this choice would yield.

He's not going to make Tenka make it--if he can help it.]

It is not. We are not going to reconcile, Tenka.

[There's too much bad blood between them. Sousei doesn't even want to know why he would try.]

... The only person he may ever consider doing so with is you. And that is not certain either.

Well, I guess I should've known better than to expect that the Captain of the Yamainu and the most devoted servant of the Orochi would get along.

[Though admittedly he never really expected them to be friends. After all, even in their first meeting, one word from Sousei was enough to get Shirasu to levels of murderous that even Soramaru and Chuutarou hadn't seen before. It's almost like they were set to never truly get along - though Tenka was hoping that at least they'd manage to be cordial and not stab each other.

Yet even the implication that a sword may be drawn is something that gets close to starting off a fight. Shirasu had already thrown a kunai directly at Sousei's head. There's no helping it with these two.

Regardless, Tenka's just going to huff now as he turns his head to face Sousei.]

As long as you don't get hurt, it's not my business.

[With a sigh, his eyes slide shut in thought.]

So do me a favor and make sure it doesn't become my business before I have to beat up my shrine keeper.

[There was no helping it indeed, and Sousei is resigned as well. This is the inevitable relationship they are bound to have. He will constantly face Shirasu, constantly remind him of his failure, and in turn, Shirasu will constantly remind Sousei of the danger he presented to Sousei's family.

Saying it'll be a strained relationship is a firm understatement.

Regardless, in response to that, Sousei turns his head to look at Tenka as well, propping himself up on an elbow so he can look properly unimpressed.]

Do not underestimate me. I won't get hurt. [Please.

It's easier to say that than to bring up the unspoken implication in Tenka's words that he would take Sousei's side if he were to be injured in some way by Shirasu.

It seems like something a little too fragile and tentative for Sousei to really bring it up now.]

[Okay, that response manages to get Tenka to open an eye and glance over at Sousei.

It's been at least a decade since they were this comfortable with each other. It seemed like in the span of 24 hours, they went from childhood best friends who stayed in the same room and were part of the same family to estranged and distant orphans who decided to go their separate ways. Yet something like this manages to be familiar.

They're talking about new problems and things that they never would've considered as guests. When they were children, their conversations were centered on who ate more veggies (Sousei) or who was winning in their streak (often ties but Tenka would like to think it was him). Now they're talking about the chances of Tenka losing Sousei for once if he were to get into a fight with the person that Tenka came to trust in Sousei's own absence.

Sousei's still trying to convince him that he's invincible.

Which is why Tenka snorts and reaches over to push Sousei's shoulder, trying to knock him off his balance while he's still propped up on one elbow.]

Shut up, Sousei.

[He really, really wasn't expecting Tenka to be so childish--for some reason. It's entirely a Tenka move. It's everything Tenka stands for, really. Tenka would have done it to him immediately as a child.

He should have expected it (and it really, really shows how much they've closed that gap that ten years had created, because suddenly, this felt so homelike that he almost feels homesick for the family he was able to have for a brief time) but he didn't--and so when Tenka shoves his shoulder, he does lose his balance, falling backwards.

His head hits the pillow, and it wasn't as if he fell far, but for a moment, he just stares at the ceiling.

That...really just happened. And really...isn't it a little too easy to fall into this groove? He's not sure, but regardless, his response was inevitable from the moment Tenka pushed him.

He turns, kicking Tenka out of his futon.]

You are such a child!

[They both are--those children who shared a room and aspirations and nightmares and dreams, night after night.]

Guh!!

[Yeah, he's kicked out of the futon, though considering that he'd wrapped himself up in most of the blankets, that also means that he totally took them with him. Take that, Sousei. You've kicked him out of your futon, but at what cost?!

It's why he's going to sit up now in the blanket burrito that he's still clutching too himself and raising a finger to his lips as he narrows his eyes.]

Ssshhh, Sousei-kun. I know you're short-tempered but you're gonna wake up everyone else.

[A long-suffering sigh.] It's hard to be the responsible one.

[Except he doesn't even quite manage to finish that sentence before he's turning his head away and laughing to himself. Yeah, he knows that he's basically spouting out total non-truths right now but at the same time this just feels so natural that he doesn't regret it at all.]

[and there go all of his blankets, god Tenka, you're such a jerk--that, combined with his words, get the most incredulous look on Sousei's face. Even Tenka can't say that with a straight face, but Sousei will keep up that disbelieving look anyway, because

really?

Incoming pillow coming for your fool head, Tenka, since apparently he has to be quiet.

Definitely 25 going on 5.]

[The awful thing about blanket burritos is that they're not very good at moving quickly, so Tenka isn't really able to duck that pillow. So instead he's going right back down again with an anguished sounding oof!

But also not going to let go of these blankets just to spite Sousei. In fact, he turns over to crawl his way over to where the pillow landed and is now just going to.... rest his head on it.]

Good night. I hope you're more reasonable in the morning.

[Tenka????]

[Tenka???

Sousei's immediately sitting up then, moving to grab for one end of the blankets. And, hissing under his breath, as if they really are trying to not wake up the parents (when it's really the kids who don't deserve to wake up to this nonsense)--]

Give them back, Tenka.

[Tenka kind of half-expected that and that's why he's pretty much turned completely on his stomach, clutching the other end of the blanket and basically using his dumb weight to keep it down too. Then he's just huffing in response.]

I know when I'm not wanted....! Should've thought about kicking me out before you ended up cold and on an empty futon, huh?

You're not wanted.

[IT'S SAID SO FLATLY AND EASILY--and then he's tugging at his blankets and looking so unhappy about it. Why this. <>Why this.]

I need these, it is still too cold to sleep without.

If I don't have them, then I'll be too cold to sleep.

[Duh, Sousei.]

I'm not hearing a benefit for me from this, Sousei. [And then he snorts and mimicking Sousei's tone of voice:] "I'm a man that operates in terms of profits and losses." {snerk] Haha!

You have your own.

[Guys, just buy more blankets, you're not exactly hurting for money.......

But Sousei's frowning slightly at the mimicking, shaking his head shortly.]

It is true. [No it's not, Sousei, you're such a sap.] You do not need these, so I am not giving them up.

They're all the way in my room....

[He came here, he doesn't really want to leave? His own room is still cold and empty and alone and yes, he's feeling better now, but there's still a need for human contact that he won't get if he leaves Sousei alone now.

Such is the life of being Tenka's partner.]

I definitely need these. I thought we were sharing but then you kicked me out so I guess not. Fine! Throw away my charitable spirit!

[???? What is your problem, Tenka.

Sousei just frowns in response, sitting back on his heels then to inspect Tenka. He thinks he's starting to get why Tenka's not going back to his own room yet.

.. ... ...]

You did not ask. [If they could share.

Yeah, okay, now Sousei will be a stickler for manners.]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject