harimaya | Jigoku: inbox

(Hizen will never turn down food unless he has a good reason to.

He stops walking for a second and looks back at Yuuji, his hands in the pockets of his hoodie. He looks Yuuji up and down and...

KICKS HIM IN THE SHIN.

Not too hard. He isn't trying to hurt him but he is trying to send him away.)

I don't need some escort! I'm not going home anyway!

(Stomping his foot on the ground,)

Go back already. It's past your bedtime or something!

[ the kick was so unnecessary?!! he ends up squinting at the other, offended but really not hurt. he then points an accusing finger at hizen's face, biting back. ]

What do you mean you're not going home? It's too late and dangerous!

[ let's not address yuuji's hypocrisy here. in his mind, his duties as an enma involved him working in shady hours— keeping order and all that nonsense. eventually, he lowers his arm down to his side again, looking less angry and more concerned now. ]

You got out of your place because of me, right? I really appreciate it because I needed your help. But, I'll feel like shit if I don't make sure you reached your home safe.

(It was absolutely unnecessary but it had to be done. He swats at Yuuji's finger!)

You're the one out in the first place! (He sure will call him out because that's his job!) I don't need some babysitter!

I'm gonna go get a drink!

(Babies don't drink.)

Drink in your own apartment!

[ this is just the perfect recipe for a night that won't end well. shuten is dangerous on its own, and hizen now thinks he should go out drinking and get wasted, with no one around to make sure he's okay? yeah, that will get yuuji to leave his side faster.

he frowns at him; arms folded against his chest. ]

Aren't you being a hypocrite? You came to me because it's dangerous out here and then expect me not to worry about you as well?

...

(Yuuji please this body was literally created to sneak around in the night and get into fights. He can handle himself! He's been fighting ever since he arrived here.

He steps forward and jabs him in the chest with his finger,)

I ain't a kid like you.

I don't care how old you are. I'm not leaving you.

[ he lowkey wants to know how old hizen is, but this is turning into a standoff with both sides unwilling to back off. one thing for sure, yuuji is not returning the hostility. he won't be kicking or poking anyone with his finger tonight.

well, not hizen for sure. ]

We can buy some drinks, and you can move that party to the safety of your apartment.

...

("We can buy some drinks."

>We.)

How old are you? (Isn't he supposed to be the one in Shuten. Why is he playing cop now.) The only thing you're buying is cola.

I can take care of myself. Ain't no one messing with me anyway. (Something something about him having a rank. Which he still thinks is weird. He closes his eyes and lets out a sigh,) Go home, Itadori.

(He doesn't... usually use names... okay.........)

[ there's some miscommunication here, but— he didn't bother to explain the drinks aren't for him, only hizen. the truth is: he didn't mind drinking alcohol; he simply couldn't bring himself to try it out yet and there's no rush to it. ]

We're the same age ..... ?

[ what. did he miss out on something? is hizen supposed to be in his early twenties instead of a teenager? their age didn't matter anyway and yuuji relaxed a bit; his own expression growing soft. ]

But I'm worried about you. [ let's try this in another way. he then steps closer, reaching out for the other's shoulder; squeezing gently. ] I'll just keep stressing about whether you made it home safe or not. I won't be able to sleep, so what's the point of going home?

... how can we resolve this?

("We're the same age.")

Like hell we are.

(BIG DOUBT. He highly doubts it.

He takes a half step back but it isn't enough to really get away from Yuuji. Yuuji can probably feel him tense just because... he isn't used to being touched. He isn't used to people really getting close to him. That time with the stupid shivering mochi was an exception.

He looks at his shoulder and then at Yuuji and back at his shoulder and back again and AAAAAH he swats it away. Why is he looking at him like that too? And speaking like that? He mumbles,)

Why're ya being so weird...?

(Gods he doesn't get these types of people and he's quiet for a moment, trying to think a moment... he reaches into his pocket and takes out his phone.)

... We can talk.

(This is his vague attempt at a compromise? he isn't sure if it's going to be good enough or not. He's not a negotiator. That was always Mutsunokami's thing.)

I don't care if you're an adult, you know.

[ that's an understatement, yuuji.

still holding into his concern over that boy's safety, the sorcerer allowed his hand to linger where it was before he slowly pulled back, still staying close to hizen. he was expecting another 'go home' and further dismissal of his efforts to reach out to him, but—

the other is trying now? perhaps they can find a middle ground. that's when yuuji regarded the phone, a bit confused before he nodded. ]

I guess ... [ he felt bad to burden hizen on carrying out a whole conversation while he goes out drinking— it felt too much to ask. hesitantly, clearly he doesn't like it, but he's trying to loosen up even when yuuji will worry himself sick and— ]

... Just text me when you reach home safe. Can you promise me that?

(... There sure is a misunderstanding here but he doesn't want to correct it right now. The goal is to get rid of Yuuji, not get him to stick around longer.

He still doesn't get why Yuuji cares so much. It's weird to him. It really makes him feel kind of bad for not indulging him? Ugh. Realizing he feels like just annoys him, though. Even after centuries, there's this vague urge to spoiled kicked puppies. Still, he's relieved when Yuuji relents. He puts his phone down and nods.)

... Yeah. (He can do that much. It's easy and simple but what he says next still feels heavy and serious,) I can promise.

(Because promises are special. When you make one, you don't break it.)

You too. (...) 'kay?

[ — and yuuji felt genuinely reassured by it, lips curling up into a weary smile. it didn't feel great to let hizen wander at such a late hour by himself, but they shall leave it on this small settlement.

he nods as well, sighing afterward. ]

I promise. But, seriously, thank you for helping me out. I'll let you know when we can set up that dinner date.

[ yeah, that's happening. it wasn't some casual chat, but another promise. he turns to the side, giving his friend a lazy wave. ]

Don't drink too much!

Hm.

(He just makes like, a vague sound in acknowledgment. No, he will not wave. Instead, he just shoves his phone back into the front pocket of his hoodie and turns on his heel. He sure is going to swing by a convenience store and stock up on snacks and drinks. )