minutemen | 6 ❀ Summer Citadel

6 ❀ Summer Citadel

Beach. Everyone has been working so hard lately so why not take a break and enjoy the beach? You can make sand castles, play in the water, and there are even umbrellas for those who'd rather just relax in the shade. There's a nice row of water melons ready to be smashed later in the day and when the sun goes down, that's when the sparklers come out.
Suffering. It's the hottest time of the year and the citadel doesn't have central air conditioning. The few air conditions that were installed have given up on life after being used so much and now, we really have to make do with what we can while the Konnosuke try to fix it. There's a limited number of fans, plenty of ice cream to go around, and the citadel should be built to circulate air, right? ... Right?!
Spooks. In Japan, summer is a time for horror. Gather around the camp fire and hear some spooky ghost stories or maybe head out into the woods just outside the citadel for a good ol' fashioned test of courage. It's all good, harmless fun! Of course, with so many spirits gathered in one place, what's to say a stray or curious outsider spirit won't join the mix...
Rain. Summer is also known for sudden and torrential downpours of rain. The clouds always seem to grown and darken suddenly and the next thing you know, it's raining sheets and the ground is shaking from thunder. Once it starts, it never seems to stop. Maybe you were caught out in the rain or maybe this is day 7 stuck inside.
Other! It's summer and there are tons of things to do. Go to the general store and stock up on ice cream, wake up in the middle of the night uncomfortable with heat, or run around screaming because cicadas are dying and flying at your face.

He appreciated how serious of a task Tonbokiri was taking this to be, but it also just made him feel more embarrassed as well. Even Horikawa didn't take it this seriously and mostly just thought Izumi was being far too picky with how he liked his hair to be.

He clears his throat again, trying to force that fluttery feeling deep down so he could completely ignore it right now. He turns his body so his back was facing Tonbokiri, but he tilted his head back a little to look at him over his shoulder.

"You needn't be so concerned. As a comrade and as my friend, I trust in your abilities," he says softly before quickly turning his head away again before Tonbokiri could see just how red his cheeks had gotten.

Tonbokiri pauses, eyes round for a long moment. Friend? A-At least Izuminokami is looking the other way, and not quite at the right angle to see him in the mirror.

Pulling himself together he bows from the waist, "My thanks. Please regard me kindly. Pardon me..."

He carefully unties the red ribbon, folds it neatly, and puts it beside the mirror. As he takes up the comb he has to say what is on his mind.

"If I may ask, are there many here that you regard as both comrade and friend?" (That's not quite what he wants to ask about, but he'll get there.)

Starting from the bottom, he had felt like it would take a long time to comb Izuminokami's hair, but the comb slides through smoothly. Still, he will be wary of tangles. It would not do to pull on his hair.

The moment he feels the comb through his hair he gives a tiny shiver. Not an uncomfortable one mind you, one of those awkward "this feels good" sort of shivers. Doing your own hair was fine of course, but there was something about having someone else play with ones hair that always just felt really... soothing in a strange way. His eyes drifted shut as he just soaked in Tonbokiri's gentle touches.

It wasn't until Tonbokiri asked that question that his eyes even opened again, feeling a faint heat to his face once more. Asking him such a question... It was embarrassing to think about since it slipped out so easily. Perhaps that was further proof that he felt a nice bond with Tonbokiri. At the very least he respected him a lot.

"Those who have proven themselves to me, both on the battle field and with their strong hearts, those are the ones I feel I can call both comrade and friend."

He might just be a bit picky though. Of course he shows a biased towards his other Shinsengumi blades, but also his time being captain of Unit two holds a strong place in his heart as well. Which also meant deep down even Mutsunokami held a place in his heart... but he'll never say that out loud. Ever.

Tonbokiri continues making even strokes though Izuminokami's hair, longer as he works further up.

"I see..." Although, he's not sure if he entirely does.

"I am honoured to be regarded as such by you. Indeed... it is embarrassing to admit, but... I have not thought much on the relationship of 'friends'. Being 'comrades' feels sufficient... However now I wonder how it differs."

"I think... to me a friend is more than just a comrade on the field. While they could be quite similar, a friend takes it to the next level. They're there for you to trust more than anyone else, there to enjoy the company of, there to kick your rear when you need it most."

Perhaps it was because he was a shinsengumi sword that comradery and friendship were so important to him. It was a hard thing to explain, it was more of a feeling, like an everlasting bond. He fell silent for a moment before tilting his head back to look over his shoulder once more.

"I'd only trust a friend to comb my hair."

His hand stops for a moment when Izuminokami turns his head, and he can only blink in reply before saying,

"Is that so?"

He tries to smooth out his expression, but he is still deeply contemplative as he returns to combing Izuminokami's hair. Friendship is something so profound and intimate, but it still sounds so much like how Tonbokiri regards comrades... (Except perhaps for the hair combing.)
This is a little troubling. Tonbokiri is satisfied with having only comrades, but... does he have no friends? Is he missing some essential experience?

As his mind worries at this idea his hands slow, combing the same spot several times.

"Tonbokiri-san, you sound as if you're over thinking it a bit," his voice was casual, not trying to catch him off guard too much.

It's just, he could tell something was up. Tonbokiri had been stuck on one part of his hair for a while now, and he knew there were no tangles there since he'd be combing through just fine without any problems.

With a soft sigh, he looks forward again.

"You don't need to worry this hard on the matter."

Tonbokiri's eyes refocus at Izuminokami's voice, his hands falling still again.

"No-? My apologies. I suppose... there is still much to learn about this heart we have been given, and the relationships that come from it. But, as you say. I shaln't worry too hard over it for now."

For now. He is still worried.

He resumes combing properly at least, and as Izuminokami's hair is wondrously well taken care of, he is already almost finished. Time for some practical concerns. Like how to tie it up.

"For me, I'm certain it's because I'm a sword of the Shinsengumi. Loyalty and friendship just comes natural that way. But that doesn't make comradery any less important either. You just need to focus on what makes you happiest right?"

His voice began getting softer the more hair Tonbokiri combed of his. It really did feel nice to have someone else doing it, and Tonbokiri's touches were surprisingly very gentle. Well... maybe it wasn't that surprising. He was a rather gentleman after all.

Izuminokami let out a soft sound, and his head tilts back just a little. At this rate he didn't even care what Tonbokiri did with his hair, he just liked this feeling.

Tonbokiri nods thoughtfully, although Izuminokami can't see it. It's true, that the eras they each lived in were quite different in many ways. So... it's not wrong to stay close to what he's used to.

"Thank you for saying so. Perhaps you're right."

He is amused to notice Izuminokami relaxing so thoroughly. That the sword would enjoy having his hair combed this much, perhaps there is simply something about being handled and maintained that sword spirits enjoy, even in this form. (He knows he does, rare though the chances may be.)

"I will begin tying your hair up in a moment, Izuminokami-dono. The weight of it might pull on your scalp though. Will you be all right with that, or should I tie it more loosely?"

(Izuminokami might not care what Tonbokiri does, but he'll see it through seriously to the end.)

"It's fine it's fine. I'll have you know that I'm extremely sturdy. I can handle a bit of hair pulling."

He lets out a tiny huff, as if he might have been offended by his words. He wasn't though, just wanted to give Tonbokiri a bit of a hard time as any good friend would do. But the huff only melts into a soft groan. Having his hair combed out like this apparently felt almost as good as a nice massage to him.

With that huff of reprimand dissolving into a pleased groan, Tonbokiri chuckles. It takes all the edge off the usually strict sword.

"For all the time we'd spent together, I'd have never guessed you enjoy having your hair combed this much. I admit, you don't give the impression of allowing anyone else to influence your appearance. So I am honoured you agreed to this."

He treats Izuminokami to a couple more long strokes of the comb before putting it down to take up a hair tie.

"That's exactly why you should take this as a great honor. I don't let just anyone run their fingers through my hair, let alone style it themselves."

Its times like this where Izuminokami really shows his age of being one of the younger swords among them all. He could sound so childish sometimes, even without meaning to, but he really did see it as something he should feel good about. He felt extreme pride in his hair.

Ah, haha. There is that prideful personality.

"I hope I do the honour justice."

Running the white length of fabric between his fingers with a familiar motion, he prepares it to wrap around Izuminokami's hair. He gathers the hair into a ponytail, his fingers gently combing in any stray parts. He tries to set it high on Izuminokami's head, the better to give him some relief from it covering his back in this heat. The trade-off will be, as he warned, the weight pulling on his scalp, but Izuminokami assured him he could take it. If anything, his hair is lighter than Tonbokiri thought it would be, but there is still a lot of it.

Before he starts tying he holds the ponytail in place and asks, "How does this feel?"

"I can already feel like my neck feels a little more at ease from the heat," His voice was soft and content sounding.

It wasn't like his hair wasn't getting pulled quite a bit, but he trusted Tonbokiri like he had mentioned, and on top of that.... it still really felt nice having him do this.

He was just a simple sword with simple enjoyments.

"Would you like me to do your hair after you're finished?"

Satisfied with Izuminokami's approval, he starts to wrap the fabric tightly around the hair--
And stops mid-motion. He can feel his face warm in a blush.

"That..." He resumes his work, although the pace is a little slower than before.

"Such reciprocation is not necessary. But you have my thanks for the offer."

“Are you certain? You might find that you’ll grow to enjoy it as well. Even a simple braid would look nice on you, I’m sure”

He sounds a little amused as he sits there still waiting for Tonbokiri to finish. He could practically hear the flustered sound in his tone and it was cute.

He cannot lie, but he's not sure how much longer he can keep the truth from Izuminokami, either. (Flustered is right.)

He ties the tight bow, finishing the ponytail. And... he was going to do it anyway, but now it almost feels like he's buying himself time as he takes up another strip of fabric to bind together the ponytail half-way down. A smaller area for his hair to rest against his back.

"Thank you for saying so. I am certain I can trust your sense for style. But I should not take more of your time than I have."

Izuminokami tilted his head back, feeling the weight of his hair move along with him. Ah... it was actually kind of nice, but he had no time to get distracted right now. He had to give Tonbokiri a raised eyebrow. And what could he possibly be keeping him from? Before they came to Tonbokiri’s room Kanesan was just lying on the floor pretending like the heat really was draining his life away, being the over dramatic sword he could be sometimes.

“And what time have you taken exactly? Was it not I that had to borrow your clothing? Was it not I who sat here while you tenderly took care of my hair? Was it not I who has taken up so much of your time instead?”

His tone was almost as if he were scolding Tonbokiri.

Although the sword is younger than him, Tonbokiri knows when he is being told sense.
It does not take long to do the second tie, as the hair is already gathered. So he quietly winces through the reprimands, finishing off the hair tie before bowing towards Izumonokami.

"When you put it like that... My apologies, Izuminokami Kanesada-dono."

Edited (style ;A;) 2019-09-22 15:21 (UTC)

“You needn’t apologize, Tonbokiri. I just didn’t want you feeling any sort of guilt for ‘taking up my time’ when I’ve been enjoying this time with you.”

He let out a softer huff this time, tucking some shorter strands behind his ear. Tonbokiri was kind and easy to talk to, a man worthy of respect... he didn’t want the other sword to feel like his presence had somehow bothered him just because he offered up his own services.

"Thank you for saying so. I have been enjoying this time, as well. Very much." Still, he doesn't want Izuminokami to leave feeling offended for him passing on his generous offer... (If the sword presses again... he might just have to relent?)

Reaching around Izuminokami, he adjusts the mirror. "I have finished. I do hope it meets your satisfaction, at least a little."

If anything, he doesn't look much like his usual self, dressed in the dark navy yukata and having his hair so tightly gathered back. But hopefully it's cooler, which was the point.

His eyes light up the moment he sees his reflection in the mirror. Turning his head from one side to the other, admiring the work Tonbokiri did. He really did just seem like the happiest sword right now.

"It's met my satisfaction and then some..!"

The look on Izuminokami's face is the best reward of all.

"Then I am satisfied as well. If you ever wish to borrow a yukata or have me put your hair up, feel free to come any time."

He paused in his own preening in the mirror to fully understand what Tonbokiri was saying. He didn't seem to mind his company and was willing to do this more often if he wanted to?

"So it's mutual then!"

Their friendship he means.

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