[in a way, those first words sting; they have a bite to them that souji doesn't expect.
but it's only going to serve to fuel the fire.
did hijikata really think that way? of course, it raises the question of what happened in zelien that could have changed things so much, because their differing memories had already caused enough rifts in the group. not sharing the same jamjar memories as all of the people important to him was enough to put a strange, invisible and impenetrable wall between himself and everyone else. though it's rarely mentioned, and often just ignored for the sake of circumstance, there's an elephant in the room every time that just slowly grates on souji, pulling at his sanity and his ability to press on like there's no issue.
sure, souji had always instigated fights with souji. and sure, he was always incredibly jealous of the bond he shared with kondou, because it made him feel a lot more insignificant in the bigger scheme of things. but for all the bickering, teasing, and downright asshattery that he flung in hijikata's direction, it's not like he really harbored any semblance of hatred. annoyance and bitterness, but he was still like family for souji (as hard-pressed as he would be to admit that aloud), so the notion of not wanting to have anything to do with hijikata is just absurd.
couple that with the fact that souji isn't entirely in his right mind right now, and it just proves itself to be a recipe for disaster.]
What don't you just say it truthfully, Hijikata-san?
[because those words hurt, he's electing to slam it back in spades. his words drip with hurt and bitterness, and the red glow of his eyes pierces, staring hijikata down. he doesn't make any attempt to fight back with his sword yet. he came here for a fight, but that doesn't mean souji doesn't know how to goad beforehand.
he isn't pulling back, but he just doesn't press forward, either. instead, his hands grip so tightly at the hilt that his knuckles turn white, and he's sneering as he finishes his thought, not even bothering to answer hijikata's question.] I'm enough trouble that it'd be easier to kill me and get me out of the way, right? Then you don't have to worry about what I do next. Or if you have to play with me.
[of course, souji's not actually planning on letting hijikata kill him so easily, not when he has such a bitter urge to plunge his sword right through the vice-commander, but he baits in anyway.]
no subject
but it's only going to serve to fuel the fire.
did hijikata really think that way? of course, it raises the question of what happened in zelien that could have changed things so much, because their differing memories had already caused enough rifts in the group. not sharing the same jamjar memories as all of the people important to him was enough to put a strange, invisible and impenetrable wall between himself and everyone else. though it's rarely mentioned, and often just ignored for the sake of circumstance, there's an elephant in the room every time that just slowly grates on souji, pulling at his sanity and his ability to press on like there's no issue.
sure, souji had always instigated fights with souji. and sure, he was always incredibly jealous of the bond he shared with kondou, because it made him feel a lot more insignificant in the bigger scheme of things. but for all the bickering, teasing, and downright asshattery that he flung in hijikata's direction, it's not like he really harbored any semblance of hatred. annoyance and bitterness, but he was still like family for souji (as hard-pressed as he would be to admit that aloud), so the notion of not wanting to have anything to do with hijikata is just absurd.
couple that with the fact that souji isn't entirely in his right mind right now, and it just proves itself to be a recipe for disaster.]
What don't you just say it truthfully, Hijikata-san?
[because those words hurt, he's electing to slam it back in spades. his words drip with hurt and bitterness, and the red glow of his eyes pierces, staring hijikata down. he doesn't make any attempt to fight back with his sword yet. he came here for a fight, but that doesn't mean souji doesn't know how to goad beforehand.
he isn't pulling back, but he just doesn't press forward, either. instead, his hands grip so tightly at the hilt that his knuckles turn white, and he's sneering as he finishes his thought, not even bothering to answer hijikata's question.] I'm enough trouble that it'd be easier to kill me and get me out of the way, right? Then you don't have to worry about what I do next. Or if you have to play with me.
[of course, souji's not actually planning on letting hijikata kill him so easily, not when he has such a bitter urge to plunge his sword right through the vice-commander, but he baits in anyway.]