#oniyare

𝐭𝐡𝐞  𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧  𝐨𝐧  𝐭𝐨𝐡𝐦𝐚’𝐬  𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞  isn’t  faked,    nor  is  his  irritation;    even  he  can  get  annoyed  at  times,    y’know,    &.    people  should  really  stop  treating  him  as  infallible    [ ... ]    those  people  being  him.    itto  smiles  so  smugly,    leaves  a  touch  that  burns  like  fire,    &.    tohma  wishes  it  could  erase  it  from  its  mind  completely.    the  grip  on  its  spear  tightens    &.    wanes,    the  weight  of  it  heavy  in  its  hands.    how  long  will  they  both  dance  around  this,    he  wonders,    𝐡𝐨𝐰  𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠  𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥  𝐡𝐞  𝐛𝐞  𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞  𝐭𝐨  𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩  𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬  𝐮𝐩?

excuses  pile  up    &.    curdle  in  his  mouth,    &.    he  finds  that  he  has  nothing  else  to  say.    it’s  not  a  confident  man,    far  from  it──    anyone  would  be  intimidated  by  itto’s  size,    the  way  he  hulks  over  to  look  it  in  the  eyes,    but  tohma  only  finds  that  irritation  growing.    it’s  not  belittling,    of  course  not;    he  doesn’t  even  think  the  oni  is  really  capable  of  it,    but  he  always  seems  so  determined  to  prove  him  wrong.

(    ‘  the  one    &.    oni,  ’    as  he  always  proudly  proclaims.    he  doesn’t  have  the  heart  to  tell  him  how  dumb  it  sounds,    only  shaking  his  head    &.    continuing  to  brush  ushi’s  soft  fur.    &.    isn’t  that,    isn’t  that  part  of  his  problem?    finding  an  excuse  to  be  by  his  side──    taking  care  of  ushi  properly,    wrapping  up  itto’s  affairs  in  a  neat  little  bow──    tohma  finds  that  the  truth  tastes  like  ash  in  the  back  of  his  throat,    &.    he  refuses  to  accept  it.    refuses  to  dwell  on  it,    but  really    [ ... ]    itto’s  always  so  determined  to  get  tohma  to  do  what  he  wants,    whether  he  knows  it  or  not.    )

“    you’re  so    [ ... ]    infuriating,    ”    it  says,    even  as  itto  leans  closer.    the  flush  on  his  face  makes  his  eyes  dart  away,    frown  deepening.    something  other  than  age  old  contempt  settles  in  the  retainer’s  heart,    something  shades  softer    &.    warm.    he  feels  foolish,    suddenly;    hasn’t  he  denied  himself  enough?    𝗵𝗲  𝗵𝗮𝗱  𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻  𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁  𝘁𝗼  𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗸𝗲  𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻  𝗵𝗶𝘀  𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀,    spread  them  home  on  the  wind    &.    never  look  back.    “    do  i  have  to  do  everything  myself  with  you?    ”

ah    [ ... ]    but  itto  was  the  one  that  led  him  to  this,    right?    even  unknowingly.    that’s  what  endears  him  to  tohma  most.    “    for  once,    ”    he  murmurs,    tugging  on  the  collar  of  his  obnoxious  coat  to  yank  him  closer;    flushed,    still,    but  there’s  a  determined  glint  in  his  eyes  as  he  holds  itto’s  stare.    “    𝘆𝗼𝘂  𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱  𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲  𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲.    ”    he  acts  out  of  selfishness;    tohma  is  already  embarrassed,    anyways,    &.    nothing  itto  says  will  be  able  to  alleviate  that.  

Humor springs with a clear easiness,  fondness betwixt warmth and hard to quell mirth  that came forth in the form of a quiet little smile, brows knitted together in halfhearted concern at the downpour of gloominess that seemed to usurp the other man  ( not a fan of defeat ?  the thought makes him chuckle ).  ❝ I was under the impression you wanted a challenge ? ❞  Is there smugness in his voice ?  Perhaps, perhaps not, though he does make the gentle attempt at looking moderately apologetic.  ❝ I would have come out had you asked, you really did not have to go for hours, you’re aware ? ❞  A gloved hand, partially covered in soot from the chimney, comes to rest on his partner’s shoulder, head tilting as he leans forward to get a peek of his face.