( closed )

[nostatus]

Who: Shinpachi & Saitou
When: January 16th
Where: In some random bar. Will Shinpachi actually pay money for the booze or end up making Saitou pay, who knows.
What: SHINPACHI FINALLY MANAGES TO DRAG SAITOU OUT DRINKING HELL TO THE YES.
Rating/Warning: Should be nothing other than Shinpachi being a moron who should just insert his fist into his mouth already the way Kondou so beautifully does.

---

[ It's strange, the Shinsengumi bachelor pad getting a little more quiet every single time. Not that Souji was the most vocal person there - not with two thirds of the baka trio around, anyway - but it still leaves a gap. Just like when Heisuke disappeared, really, although that one was even more painful to Shinpachi for obvious reasons. It gives plenty of food for awful thoughts. Because there's no knowing when one of them will disappear, if only one of them will be left in the end.

So Shinpachi decides to just try and not linger too long on those thoughts for now. And what else is better to make you forget about things you don't want to think about than some booze, right? So he's finally decided to let Saitou make good on his promise from before - not to mention that he figures the other can probably use it too after Souji's disappearance.

So that's how they find themselves in one of the city's many bars. There might not be the usual sake, but Shinpachi's grown so accustomed to western drinks that he's easily gotten a glass full of that instead, holding it up towards his friend. ]

There, there, Saitou! Time for you to get used to the taste of these! [ It's going to be a long night at this rate.. ]

Comments

[tsuranuki]

[ Saitou talked to Souji once, and Heisuke....he hadn't even seen. The only thing that kept him from putting blame on anyone or anything for this was that this happened to him--he had been here, he had left, and now he's back again. So there was a chance they'd be back. From the network, he knows that it's not just them, who have lost people.

It doesn't make it any easier. He's sure it must be worse for Sano and Shinpachi. Probably even a little numbing after seeing it time and time again.

That's part of the reason why he doesn't turn out Shinpachi's offer. Rarely does he drink to forget, but tonight's a night that's good enough for that. So when the glass it offered to him, he only sniffs it once before taking it. ] Is it...sweet? [ Saitou tried a few drinks the night he arrived, at least two with umbrellas in them. He kept away from the ones that smelled like they would put a man under the table. But this one didn't seem too bad. ]

But I imagine it didn't take you too long to get used to the taste.

[ They could adjust to places, clothes, food...all that sort of things.

Adjusting to a lack of certain people, however, is a whole different matter.

He takes a gulp, and wonders if all the glasses were this large. He has a feeling they're going to be here for a while, but he has no intentions of carrying you home, Shinpachi. ]

[nostatus]

[ Don't worry, he did indeed order something a little lighter for Saitou. Not because he doubts the other's drinking tolerance (hell, if anything, Saitou is usually still sober by the time Sano and Shinpachi are already yelling and laughing from how drunk off their asses they are), but more just since he probably needs to work his way into drinking something other than sake with smaller steps.

Because Shinpachi himself totally has whiskey over here. He really wants to get drunk, at least tonight. Just so he doesn't have to think about things too deeply - it's totally a healthy coping method, okay. Especially since he'll probably rant about it all the same by the time he's drunk enough and all stops are gone. ]

Nah.. although there's at least sake here, so it's not like you have to drink something else. [ But in Zelien there were nothing but western drinks, so he already adapted back then. ]

Although some of this stuff's really strong. Tenka's apparently had to drag my ass back to the apartement before.

[ "Apparently" since.. you know, he was passed out.. you're on duty tonight, Saitou, you can't escape!! ]

[tsuranuki]

[ Aww Shinpachi, you're so considerate. ] I don't mind trying something now. [ This one agrees with him; he can handle it. If he handled his arrival, he can handle most things.

But that's totally not a good coping method, Shinpachi. Not cool. However, it's been a while since Saitou has even last drunk with anyone, so maybe that was a better thing to work for coping. ]

I hope you aren't expecting me to do the same. [ A pause. ] So should I take it that usually you're the one that has to always be carried out? What does Sano say about that?

[ Just a very mild "think about the others" sort of concern. Mild because he didn't come here to lecture Shinpachi. As he looks at his glass and...oh, he actually drank half it, he has a feeling he won't even have a place to judge tonight. ]

[nostatus]

[ Wow, at this rate he'll have to be the one to drag you back, Saitou. Not that Shinpachi wouldn't, since it's a lot easier for him to drag Saitou back than the other way around.. ]

He usually just laughs at me. [ He says it so casually. Mostly since it's just an everyday reality when it comes to those two, they just make fun of each other like it's a sport. ]

Although I've had to drag him home before when he was drunk off his ass, so he doesn't have any right to, honestly.

[ This is the reality of the Shinsengumi, Saitou. Proud, strong men, who get drunk off their ass and have to be carried home. Carry on this legacy. ]

[tsuranuki]

[ Just throw him (gently) over your shoulder, Shinpachi. And Saitou will repay that likely the next day.

But yes, he can picture that in his mind, Sano and Shinpachi having a go with Heisuke, while Hijikata yells at them and Kondou is laughing...Souji is making comments, while he's sitting a little the side, watching because it is fairly amusing.

And then he has to stop himself, from thinking too much about that. Memories were good, but dwell too long on them, and you would lose yourself to wistfulness. He's gone quiet, hasn't it. ]

Dragging you back will be a novel experience for me, in any case. Though I would ask that you not make it into a habit. [ He'll make sure that isn't his legacy! ]

[nostatus]

[ He gives the other a slight bit of a lopsided grin at that request. He knows it's Saitou's own way of saying that it's fine as long as it's not excessive.. it's exactly why he knows the other is such a great guy. For as uptight as Saitou can seem a lot of the time, there's a lot of goodness under it. Shinpachi knows - who wouldn't, after spending years with the other? ]

Since it's you, I might just consider taking your request into account. [ He wasn't planning on having to be carried back tonight, anyway. So if it'll happen it at least won't be much of a conscious decision.. ]

But instead of just thinking 'bout that, make sure you enjoy tonight too, 'kay? That's what drinking is for!

[ To forget all the shit that's troubling them.

And in this sort of place? That's a lot. ]

[tsuranuki]

I suppose that is agreeable with me. [ If Shinpachi is considering it. And he is a considerate guy.

He can't resist adding one more thing. ] Could you imagine it, me taking you back home? [ What a sight it would be.

In any case, he nods. ] Just for tonight. [ Forgetting is something he needs. One evening without worrying and concern, and the fact he may or may not be able to see some people again. They'll make the best of the situation, yes, but seeing how they couldn't even bring up why they're here...

It'll be a while before any of them mention Heisuke or Souji's names, wouldn't it. ]

[nostatus]

[ Here's to hoping they don't get too drunk and actually start talking about those two exactly because of that.. but right now they're still too sober for it, no matter how glad Shinpachi is that Saitou gives in a little for once. He knows the other's ought to need it too. He and Souji always seemed pretty close in their own sort of way, after all.

Avoiding that heavier topic though, Shinpachi instead snorts after swallowing down a gulp of the liquid. ]

If someone didn't know any better, they might think it's some kinda festival performance! You're the type who's stronger than you look, after all. [ Shinpachi could know, okay, he's had his ass kicked in spars and fights with Saitou before.. not that he knows the full extent of it now the other is a rasetsu - since that fact is still unknown to him. ]

[tsuranuki]

[ The heavy stuff can come later, or never at all, hopefully. Maybe. It feels too much like talking about the dead and he's not quite ready for that yet. ]

A festival performance? [ Deadpan. ] Is that how you and Sano and Heisuke try to play it off as? Small wonder Hijikata-san finds fault with all of you. [ He admits it's fairly funny. Sometimes. Less hilarious when Hijikata starts yelling.

But now he looks thoughtful, as he upends his drink, gazing at Shinpachi. ] I have never tried, but maybe it is possible to carry. [ Over his shoulder, perhaps. Maybe feet will drag on the ground, but they'd get back in one piece. ]

[nostatus]

Hey, hey, we can't all be favourites like you.

[ There's some amusement - borderline teasing - in his tone though as he says it. What, it's not like it's true. Even though Shinpachi knows that Hijikata, despite appearances, cares for all of them when it comes down to it, there's no doubt he has a fond spot for Saitou.

Maybe since he's the only one who's tolerable most of the time, but still.. ]

Sometimes you just gotta live life a little bit. Let loose, y'know? [ Although it's a mystery whether Saitou even understands that idea, as uptight as he usually is. ]

[tsuranuki]

[ He was about to disagree with that, until he realises Shinpachi isn't serious. But even so... ] It's not hard to be in his favour....

[ Well, for him. But it isn't as if Hijikata hates the rest of his captains. Just. loses his patience sometimes at the antics. But in some ways, at the right times, it's a reminder of their life before the Shinsengumi. The happiness.

He's not good at that, reminding Hijikata of those times. They're so work-focused and there's often not much time for other things, like relaxing. Getting a little drunk sometimes and doing ridiculous stuff. So what Shinpachi, Sano, Heisuke...honestly, having them around brings to mind things that weren't just war and rasetsu and demons.

But as for "letting loose"... ] Are you saying I'm too solemn, Shinpachi? [ He says this dryly. ]

[nostatus]

[ Shinpachi takes a very careful sip of his drink.

See, this is the sort of answer you have to be calculated about. A lot hinges on an answer like that, including the conclusion of the night. You can't just answer without thinking-- ]

Do you want an honest or a nice answer?

[ .. or, well, you could just say that. Apparently. ]

[tsuranuki]

Both? [ He blinks. ] I have no intentions of being upset at the honest answer, if you're worried...

[ He actually can't even remember being mad at Shinpachi for...well, anything. ]

[nostatus]

[ That's just since Shinpachi is too smart to even bother trying to steal food from Saitou when there's easier targets around.. ]

That's not what I'm worried about. [ Yeah, sure, Shinpachi.

But at least he is an honest guy down to the bone, so he has no problem with just saying it the way it is when Saitou's telling him to go ahead. ]

But.. yeah, you're way too solemn. You're a good guy, but you gotta loosen up and have fun from time to time, y'know? Only thinking 'bout serious stuff all the time is no way to live your life.