[Maybe in other circumstances he would have refused, painfully protective of what pride a failing body can still muster up. But deep down Souji is also a deeply practical person, for all that he can come off as silly and impulse-driven. He knows he's not going to stay upright for very long without accepting some kind of support beyond what clinging to the barricade will offer. And this might not be the Hajime-san he knows, but he's still Shinsengumi, still a comrade. There is no shame in letting a fellow warrior help you.

So he accepts the hand, slumping against the other man with a shuddering, rasping sigh. After a moment or two it's followed by a hoarse laugh, and despite how that only brings in more coughing for a moment or two, Souji's lips are quirks upwards in feeble amusement as he glances sideways at Saitou.]

It's not fair, you know. You look... like an old man with your hair like that, but still... I'm the one who needs support... from you. [A small giggle, his voice cracking a bit.] But your eyes look nice. Hijikata-san would approve. He still... likes red, even if he's too serious to... wear it nowadays.