[ Altogether, this is a message which (even in his wildest dreams !!) Sion would have never before imagined sending, given the recipient's inhumanly flawless record and unhealthy diligence to his work, and somehow yet--...
Here Sion is all the same, forming the words: ]
You're missing.
Whatever it is that has drawn you away on personal leave, let me know immediately if you should require assistance with the matter.
[Hijikata had never anticipated the day he'd put in for time off. No looking forward to a vacation or needing to rest. The occasion for his break from character is one of somber necessity.
The family he'd long left behind stood to face the rising storm on Leith.] It's only 'missing' if my leave is unauthorized.
I'm not going to be calling in any back up - this isn't official business. [Which isn't to say he'll be avoiding trouble, but...
He's determined to keep this venture his, and only his, problem.] You don't need to waste your time with me. I'm sure you have work to do.
[ Truth be told, he'd more than an inkling that 'personal leave' meant embarking upon a one-man undertaking which Hijikata would not be deterred from. This, of course, is something which Sion understands; is glad for, because it means that Hijikata has bonds outside of the Company, but--...
Even so.
To weather a storm alone is unwise, to say the least. ]
There is always work to do, but seldom is that work on behalf of a friend foolish enough to vanish without breathing a word of it to anyone other than his direct superior.
You are no waste of time, Hijikata, but your furtive manner is certainly a hindrance I'd rather do without.
If you'll not allow me to aid you, at least relay to me a status report, lest I find myself concerned enough to join you on your business trip.
The fact that Hijikata didn't predict this reaction should make it obvious to him that he isn't in the mental state to carry out a mission alone.
But he'd never pretended like this was a good idea.]
Status report: Visiting family. Nothing to note.
In the interest of not being a liability, I'll write a full report of anything relevant I encounter on my trip when I return. [Imagine this said between gritted teeth - because he's grinding them as he types.
What a pain.
He knows he needs to concede something, or he'll wake up tomorrow morning to Sion's stupid chipper smile. Maybe what he's provided so far is enough - but he's not holding out hope.]
[ In his mind's eye, Sion can picture it: Hijikata, worrying at a cigarette, jaw set tight, and wearing the very same look of austerity that had been present upon his face during their day off criminal investigation which had spanned the whole of Old Town in days past.
...ah...
That's.... rather scary.... isn't it?
But!! It also emboldens Sion's own determination to ensure that the other man remains whole and hale during his venture— ]
Your family.
That must be nice.
[ But also burdensome, having people to protect. ]
You are with them presently, then? Are they faring well? Are you faring well? Have you had lunch yet, Hijikata?
[ Regular updates, at least, would set his mind at ease. Funny, that Hijikata knew precisely how to (mostly) mollify his concern. To say that Sion has been at a perpetual disquiet, as of late, would be an understatement—having lost a subordinate due to his own missteps has left him shaken, and though Hijikata doesn't (and needn't) report to him, still...
Still, he had feared something had happened when he hadn't been able to locate the other man. ]
Though if you make a meal of mayonnaise alone, I will find you and show you the true meaning of food groups!
[ ...though more seriously... ]
I wish you had not gone alone. Most areas are rife with anti-Company sentiment, and taking extra precaution is not enough. Not anymore.
You see, I am well acquainted with a man given to immersing himself in work even on his days off, and sometimes I am certain that he does not know how to stop.
[ ... ]
I hope you find what you seek upon Leith.
[ You should probably stop texting, Sion. ]
It is not my place to say it, this I know, but I wish you would go to your family rather than look on from afar.
Being burdened by the regret of never doing so in the future is something which you do not have to bear.
Much like I would regret not telling you this: I forbid you from sustaining injury while you are away, Hijikata, by order of the Company serving the Quad!
I can't exactly 'stop' when you're demanding status reports every four hours. [So. Thanks for the excuse.
Hijikata seriously considers not responding further. The familial advice leaves a bitter taste in his mouth, and anger threatening to throb in his temples.
He knows.
Just as he knows Sion is well-intentioned. The prying, the baseless orders - they come from a place of caring Hijikata has done nothing to deserve.
So the least he can do is keep it in mind.]
Yeah. I get it.
Order understood.
But it isn't very professional to cry, so don't you dare. [Call him a jerk all you want.
I cannot make any promises. It is your responsibility, now, to ensure that my eyes stay dry!
[ C o m p l e t e l y ! Or else!!
Because it's as much as Sion can do, doling out these capricious commands, to let Hijikata know that someone is there for him. Perhaps they do not know each other well, but if the Company cannot look out for its own, who else are they to rely upon? And maybe--...
Sion cares, just a little too much. But then, that has always been his way. ]
I look forward to being in your care.
[ Thank you for replying, he means to text, but... that's just a bit too sentimental, isn't it? ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
text; dated to whenever hiji decided to bail out of work!!
inhumanlyflawless record andunhealthydiligence to his work, and somehow yet--...Here Sion is all the same, forming the words: ]
You're missing.
Whatever it is that has drawn you away on personal leave, let me know immediately if you should require assistance with the matter.
I am here for you, you know.
no subject
The family he'd long left behind stood to face the rising storm on Leith.] It's only 'missing' if my leave is unauthorized.
I'm not going to be calling in any back up - this isn't official business. [Which isn't to say he'll be avoiding trouble, but...
He's determined to keep this venture his, and only his, problem.] You don't need to waste your time with me. I'm sure you have work to do.
no subject
Even so.
To weather a storm alone is unwise, to say the least. ]
There is always work to do, but seldom is that work on behalf of a friend foolish enough to vanish without breathing a word of it to anyone other than his direct superior.
You are no waste of time, Hijikata, but your furtive manner is certainly a hindrance I'd rather do without.
If you'll not allow me to aid you, at least relay to me a status report, lest I find myself concerned enough to join you on your business trip.
[ Spoilers: he means it. ]
no subject
The fact that Hijikata didn't predict this reaction should make it obvious to him that he isn't in the mental state to carry out a mission alone.
But he'd never pretended like this was a good idea.]
Status report: Visiting family. Nothing to note.
In the interest of not being a liability, I'll write a full report of anything relevant I encounter on my trip when I return. [Imagine this said between gritted teeth - because he's grinding them as he types.
What a pain.
He knows he needs to concede something, or he'll wake up tomorrow morning to Sion's stupid chipper smile. Maybe what he's provided so far is enough - but he's not holding out hope.]
no subject
day offcriminal investigation which had spanned the whole of Old Town in days past....ah...
That's.... rather scary.... isn't it?
But!! It also emboldens Sion's own determination to ensure that the other man remains whole and hale during his venture— ]
Your family.
That must be nice.
[ But also burdensome, having people to protect. ]
You are with them presently, then? Are they faring well? Are you faring well? Have you had lunch yet, Hijikata?
[ It is about that time!! ]
no subject
His chest winds tighter with each question. Assumptions anyone would make only bringing his lips pressed thinner.
Sion is earnest. But that only makes his inquiries more difficult to address.
He'd lie, but Sion would find out.]
No, I'm not with them. I'm not going to be with them.
From all I've heard, they're doing as well as anyone else is here. [And that's what concerns him.] I'm fine - my needs are met.
Do you want me to tell you when I've eaten dinner? [Sarcastic as it sounds, Hijikata is sincerely
annoyedtrying to appease his superior.]no subject
[ Regular updates, at least, would set his mind at ease. Funny, that Hijikata knew precisely how to (mostly) mollify his concern. To say that Sion has been at a perpetual disquiet, as of late, would be an understatement—having lost a subordinate due to his own missteps has left him shaken, and though Hijikata doesn't (and needn't) report to him, still...
Still, he had feared something had happened when he hadn't been able to locate the other man. ]
Though if you make a meal of mayonnaise alone, I will find you and show you the true meaning of food groups!
[ ...though more seriously... ]
I wish you had not gone alone. Most areas are rife with anti-Company sentiment, and taking extra precaution is not enough. Not anymore.
no subject
I eat more than that! [There is meat and rice under all the Mayo! You just can't ever see it...
The levity is brief, but Hijikata appreciates the chance to breathe before the next message.]
Bring someone with me, and I'd only draw more attention. The insurgents here are wary - they won't try anything too stupid.
1/2
[ Sion??? Did you just text something wry??? ]
You see, I am well acquainted with a man given to immersing himself in work even on his days off, and sometimes I am certain that he does not know how to stop.
[ ... ]
I hope you find what you seek upon Leith.
[ You should probably stop texting, Sion. ]
It is not my place to say it, this I know, but I wish you would go to your family rather than look on from afar.
Being burdened by the regret of never doing so in the future is something which you do not have to bear.
Much like I would regret not telling you this: I forbid you from sustaining injury while you are away, Hijikata, by order of the Company serving the Quad!
If you get hurt
no subject
[ Just so you know or something.
Jerk. ]
no subject
Hijikata seriously considers not responding further. The familial advice leaves a bitter taste in his mouth, and anger threatening to throb in his temples.
He knows.
Just as he knows Sion is well-intentioned. The prying, the baseless orders - they come from a place of caring Hijikata has done nothing to deserve.
So the least he can do is keep it in mind.]
Yeah. I get it.
Order understood.
But it isn't very professional to cry, so don't you dare. [Call him a jerk all you want.
You're not wrong.]
no subject
[ C o m p l e t e l y ! Or else!!
Because it's as much as Sion can do, doling out these capricious commands, to let Hijikata know that someone is there for him. Perhaps they do not know each other well, but if the Company cannot look out for its own, who else are they to rely upon? And maybe--...
Sion cares, just a little too much. But then, that has always been his way. ]
I look forward to being in your care.
[ Thank you for replying, he means to text, but... that's just a bit too sentimental, isn't it? ]