[ Look... Listen here, taking care of Souji is also More Work for him!!! He's like a single mother here... Tbh, tbh. Where's Kondad when you need him...
Blink. Blink... Damn, it really is late...ish. Oops. ]
Well... [ What the hell. You're getting That Exact Excuse. Okay, not really. ] I think I'll be fine, my shift isn't that early today.
[ He's fine??? He's fine. A sigh. ] You already help a lot around here. Do you actually like doing all this kind of stuff? It's my work so it's my responsibility you know.
[ Is this what Horikawa inherited from Hijikata? The Does Too Much Work gene? Although, anyway... Is it really that bad? He's never heard that fact- but once again... Electricity, it's a weird thing still (pretty cool though). ]
Tea doesn't sound bad though. [ Can he ever say no to that? ]
[Hijikata... Horikawa takes a mental note that perhaps he should bring a clock to put alongside Hijikata's desk for him. No more of this two-thirty AM work, it's time for rest. Though... he's a little caught off-guard by the follow-up question.]
Eh? Me? [As always, he looks pretty puzzled when attention is paid directly to him like this.] Even if it's your responsibility, it feels a little bit as though I should be helping you ー it's probably a habit. But I'm happy if I can be useful to you, Hijikata-san!
[Affection for old masters dies hard... Besides, those feelings sound a little similar to someone else, but for now, Horikawa sets the hamper he'd been collecting laundry in to the side, and shakes his head firmly.]
Even so, that's no good, Hijikata-san. Humans need much more sleep to keep themselves healthy, and if you don't get enough, don't you think that it would make it even harder to keep working if you were sick? I'll make some tea right away, but you should put away your work for now.
[The look in his eyes says that if Hijikata doesn't then he will points at eyes points at hiji... put 'em away.]
[ Well, honestly he doesn't mind Horikawa do the housework, it's really helpful while Hijikata runs around with his jobs, then finishes up desk work, take care of Souji, and teach people at the Dojo. You know, that kind of busy busy stuff.
But his work... ] I can't just push everything off on you. I appreciate it though.
[ Doesn't mean he's gonna allow Horikawa to help him with stuff that's strictly his responsibility though! But it's true, he at least appreciates Horikawa a lot for helping around the apartment. ]
That's true, but... Hm... [ Ugh, Horikawa... What's with that look in your eyes!!! Hijikata only stares for a few moments (because he's still caught REALLY OFF GUARD??? WHAT HAPPENED HERE), and places his brush to the side. Looks, he's putting stuff away... ]
I get it, I get it. [ Guess it's... 2-am tea time now? Make that sleepy time tea Horikawa. ]
[That's a good Vice Commander! Though he seems a little puzzled at the idea of Hijikata not wanting to push things onto him, (it's honestly surreal; he much prefers the instances in which just about everything permitted has been passed to him,) but just the agreement he receives is enough for him to be pleased by it. He offers up a nod to follow.]
It's not any trouble, you know. It's only natural that I would want to be of assistance to you, as your sword.
[Perhaps not currently his master, but his sword nonetheless, as evidenced by the fact that Hijikata still keeps Horikawa with him. For now though, he'll just give Hijikata a gentle reminder as he leaves the room again.]
You should get ready for bed in the meantime, Hijikata-san! I'll make sure that everything is prepared for you when you're done.
[He's pretty sure he remembers bringing chamomile tea over, so he'll do his best to prepare that to help Hijikata sleep.]
[ Look... This is Hijikata Toshizou, aka "I'll take on as much work as I can so I don't burden everyone else". Yep... Yep. He wouldn't feel right burdening Horikawa with much more work too! Isn't the house chores enough... ]
You don't have to tell me twice. [ Why did he get a sword that's such a good bean... Horikawa you're too good to him... So, he watches Horikawa leave the room and now he's left alone for the meantime. Guess he should probably listen to what Horikawa said, or he'll (strangely) fuss at him more. ]
It's kind of strange... Is something bothering him? Maybe I should ask...?
[ With that, he covers his mouth to yawn. Now that his focus isn't on his work anymore he finally realizes how tired he really is... Damn.
First step, put away those papers. Second step, nightclothes! Something more comfortable for the time being. Theeeen finally he'll untie that ponytail and get his comb to brush it. Should he go check on Horikawa, or just stay at his desk... Hmm...
He'll just wait patiently for now. It's relaxing time now, apparently??? ]
AAAAAAAAAAA YOU CANT TAKE ME ALIVE
Blink. Blink... Damn, it really is late...ish. Oops. ]
Well... [ What the hell. You're getting That Exact Excuse. Okay, not really. ] I think I'll be fine, my shift isn't that early today.
[ He's fine??? He's fine. A sigh. ] You already help a lot around here. Do you actually like doing all this kind of stuff? It's my work so it's my responsibility you know.
[ Is this what Horikawa inherited from Hijikata? The Does Too Much Work gene? Although, anyway... Is it really that bad? He's never heard that fact- but once again... Electricity, it's a weird thing still (pretty cool though). ]
Tea doesn't sound bad though. [ Can he ever say no to that? ]
UGH WHY ARE YOU A REBELLIOUS CHILD
Eh? Me? [As always, he looks pretty puzzled when attention is paid directly to him like this.] Even if it's your responsibility, it feels a little bit as though I should be helping you ー it's probably a habit. But I'm happy if I can be useful to you, Hijikata-san!
[Affection for old masters dies hard... Besides, those feelings sound a little similar to someone else, but for now, Horikawa sets the hamper he'd been collecting laundry in to the side, and shakes his head firmly.]
Even so, that's no good, Hijikata-san. Humans need much more sleep to keep themselves healthy, and if you don't get enough, don't you think that it would make it even harder to keep working if you were sick? I'll make some tea right away, but you should put away your work for now.
[The look in his eyes says that if Hijikata doesn't then he will points at eyes points at hiji... put 'em away.]
UR NOT MY MOM SHEEEEES DEEEEEEEEEAD
But his work... ] I can't just push everything off on you. I appreciate it though.
[ Doesn't mean he's gonna allow Horikawa to help him with stuff that's strictly his responsibility though! But it's true, he at least appreciates Horikawa a lot for helping around the apartment. ]
That's true, but... Hm... [ Ugh, Horikawa... What's with that look in your eyes!!! Hijikata only stares for a few moments (because he's still caught REALLY OFF GUARD??? WHAT HAPPENED HERE), and places his brush to the side. Looks, he's putting stuff away... ]
I get it, I get it. [ Guess it's... 2-am tea time now? Make that
sleepy timetea Horikawa. ]no subject
It's not any trouble, you know. It's only natural that I would want to be of assistance to you, as your sword.
[Perhaps not currently his master, but his sword nonetheless, as evidenced by the fact that Hijikata still keeps Horikawa with him. For now though, he'll just give Hijikata a gentle reminder as he leaves the room again.]
You should get ready for bed in the meantime, Hijikata-san! I'll make sure that everything is prepared for you when you're done.
[He's pretty sure he remembers bringing chamomile tea over, so he'll do his best to prepare that to help Hijikata sleep.]
no subject
You don't have to tell me twice. [ Why did he get a sword that's such a good bean... Horikawa you're too good to him... So, he watches Horikawa leave the room and now he's left alone for the meantime. Guess he should probably listen to what Horikawa said, or he'll (strangely) fuss at him more. ]
It's kind of strange... Is something bothering him? Maybe I should ask...?
[ With that, he covers his mouth to yawn. Now that his focus isn't on his work anymore he finally realizes how tired he really is... Damn.
First step, put away those papers. Second step, nightclothes! Something more comfortable for the time being. Theeeen finally he'll untie that ponytail and get his comb to brush it. Should he go check on Horikawa, or just stay at his desk... Hmm...
He'll just wait patiently for now. It's relaxing time now, apparently??? ]