wondering if I really tried everything I could (OPEN)

[conceded]

WHO: Kondou Isami, possibly you!
WHAT: A lost Shinsengumi commander in a Resistance Army camp
WHERE: Resistance Army camp
WARNING(S): Probably just bucketloads of angst.

[The first confusing thing that Kondou had noticed was that, well- he had woken up at all. Not to mention that on top of it, he had no idea where he was. Whether those that resided in the camp were friend or foe was something that he needed to find out before going any further. The tent he’d woken up in didn’t seem to be guarded, so he cautiously made his way outside to try and see if he could figure out what was going on.

… Which just meant that there was now a very confused man standing in the middle of camp. At the first sight of someone who he could approach for questions, Kondou made his way over.]

Ahh, I’m sorry to bother you with something so trivial, but…

Comments

[conceded]

Another... me? I think that's the strangest thing I've heard since I got here. But how does it work, Souji?

[Since he has no reason to lead him astray in that regard, then it must be true-- but what must have happened to lead up to that? He had so many different questions, and no idea where to start regarding asking them.

Souji's next question caught him off guard, but he tried his best not to think too much about that either.]

It's doing surprisingly well- it took a while for it to get better, but I'm almost as good as new!

[sadistsword]

Yes, your other me was a woman who somehow lives in modern Japan, or so she said. She also likes dango.

[Just like them. Souji has totally adopted Kondou's sweet tooth. That and the fact that he probably never lost his childlike nature.]

I am not really sure how it works. I have also not seen anyone else from her world.

[Almost as good as new was still not as good as new. But witht he shot in the shoulder it meant that Kondou - one way or the other - wouldn't be able to probably fight anymore. Souji knew that much. That fact worried him quite a bit.]

Since Kondou-san is not as good as new yet, I will protect you. Please let me fight by your side.

[conceded]

Hmm... I see. That sounds rather troubling-- perhaps I should find her so that I can talk to her myself.

[Still, there was no point in worrying about it too much right now. If Souji didn't seem particularly concerned about it, there wasn't any reason for him to get too ahead of himself, right?

It was true that his shoulder still wasn't feeling quite right, though at the moment it was, surprisingly, the least of his concerns. But Souji's words made him feel better about it, somehow.]

You don't need to ask me for permission, Souji. I'm not going to turn you away.

[sadistsword]

Yes, perhaps Kondou-san should try that.

[She did have a lot of qualities that Kondou possessed as well, so it didn't feel all that strange to talk to her. In fact, it felt really familiar.

Kondou's words in turn made Souji happier than he could express it. As long as Kondou didn't think he was a hindrance, as long as he could still be useful to Kondou and repay him for all the kindness the man had given to him... that was all he really needed. That was all he existed for.]

Thank you, Kondou-san.

[conceded]

Have you got some time to spare, Souji? I would rather like to catch up with you, if you're not too busy.

[Of course, he's well aware of the fact that Souji would probably drop everything to help him-- some things never change. And yet he still wants to ask, to make sure. After all, some things could have quite easily changed without his knowledge.]

[sadistsword]

[That was really a question Kondou didn't need to be asking. Souji beams at the other man. Kondou wanted to spend some time with him. Kondou had some time to spare for him. Catching up sounded really nice.]

Yes, of course! I have always time for Kondou-san.

[conceded]

Haha, I thought you might say something like that! Well, then. Shall we go and get some tea?

[It seemed like the perfect accompaniment to catching up, right?]

[sadistsword]

Yes!

[He bows lightly. Konpeito would be so perfect right now, so perfect. Then again, almost anything he got to do with Kondou was like perfect.]

There is something like a teahouse, I think...

[conceded]

A teahouse? Would you like to lead the way then, Souji?

[Because they might as well make the most of this moment while they've got it, right?]

[sadistsword]

Yes!

[He tries to make the most out of every moment he gets to together with Kondou. Especially when they just spend it without anyone else.

So he leads the way there and guides Kondou towards one of the small tables there.]

What kind of tea does Kondou-san want to drink?

[conceded]

Oh- hmm. I hadn't thought too much about it, to be honest. What kinds of things do they serve here?

[sadistsword]

Sencha, matcha, gyokuro, bancha, houjicha... really, a lot of teas, Kondou-san. Would you like some dango as well?

[conceded]

Ahaha, I'll have whatever you're having, Souji. And come sit next to me, won't you?

[sadistsword]

Alright.

[He hesitates a little at the offer.]

I-is that really going to be fine?

[conceded]

[ That earns a sad smile from him. ]

It will be fine, Souji. You needn't worry.

[sadistsword]

[Oh no, now Kondou was sad. Even if he was happy about the confirmation that the commander was fine with being close to him, making him sad hadn't been Souji's intention. Not sure what to do to cheer him up, Souji takes a step back and bows a little.]

I'll go and get the tea.

[And he walks off and returns a while later with a small tray with two cups of genmaicha and dango-sticks and settles himself next to his big brother-figure.]

Here we go.

[conceded]

Souji--

[ Ah, he hadn't meant to do that. He didn't want to give Souji cause for concern, especially since that might mean he'd have to explain why he was upset.

While Souji's gone he takes the time to compose himself, so there's nothing obviously amiss when he gets back. ]

Thank you, Souji. Your hard work is appreciated as always.

[sadistsword]

[Souji gives Kondou a weak, teasing smile.]

Kondou-san, getting tea isn't really hard work.

[Souji isn't sure what was wrong, but he knows he's always failed spectacularly when it came to making Kondou smile, making Kondou happy. In fact, any time he had attempted to do so, it always ended up in Kondou being sad.

The person who could really make Kondou happy and smile was Hijikata. He was aware of that much.

Perhaps his words had triggered something, but he didn't know exactly what. Still, Kondou seemed to have collected himself somewhat again.]

Please enjoy the tea.

[conceded]

I suppose not, but I mean in general. It's not that strange to show one's appreciation, is it Souji?

[ It's not that Souji doesn't make Kondou happy-- that's far from it. But in this particular instance, he feels as though he's the one that's failed to keep Souji safe from harm. What happens if he finds out about what happened to him...? ]

O-of course, I will do so. It's better now that you're here to enjoy it with me.

[sadistsword]

Of course not. It's just like Kondou-san.

[What would happen? An eternal pit of despair and sadness. Plus, he won't leave Kondou too long in death alone.

Souji puts now his best smile on his face for Kondou. There was something wrong about the man he revered so much, but Kondou also said he was alright and Kondou wouldn't lie to him, right?

So instead Souji will try and enjoy every moment he is getting with the commander now and his words did make Souji happy at least. He leans a bit closer to him as he is offering a dango stick.]

Since the tea will take some time to cool down.

[conceded]

I hope that is a good thing, Souji!

[ He can't help but laugh at the comment though, and he happily takes the stick of dango from him. It seemed that not much had changed after all, which was reassuring to him at a time like this. ]

Thank you. I hope that you'll eat plenty as well.

[sadistsword]

Of course it is.

[Really, there was hardly a thing Kondou could do that would make Souji think badly of him. It won't probably even that, only Kondou's naivety could be faulted - at times.]

If that is what Kondou-san wishes for.

[Of course, eating with the tuberculosis was always a bit iffy, but he didn't want to worry Kondou and he took one of the sticks to start eating.]

[conceded]

W-well... you don't have to push yourself on my account, Souji. I simply wish to make sure that you're well looked after.

[ That had been his goal ever since he'd met Souji when he was younger. There was no chance that he would ever want to change that. ]

[sadistsword]

Don't worry, Kondou-san. I'm not pushing myself. I'm not a child anymore.

[He turns to look at the commander. Of course the truth was that he was pushing himself for Kondou ever since he has dedicated his life to him. Starting from small silly things like eating things he doesn't even like to please Kondou up to becoming stronger, a blade without any open display of emotions... all was for Kondou's sake.]

[conceded]

I think I know that, deep down... but habits are a little hard to break.

[ He laughs and rubs the back of his neck, looking embarrassed. ] And it's-- been a while, since I saw you last.