[Yamato is probably being more understanding by avoiding having to say it, at first, but it isn't as if that's a truth that they can avoid after all. By now the wince reflex Horikawa has is entirely internal, and he can manage to keep himself even as Yamato admits to what's been done. He shakes his head as if to dismiss Yamato's words, because there's nothing wrong with wanting to look after the people around him, right? And blaming Yamato for following through with what he had done after seeing the sincerity he seems to have, and knowing how duress can interfere with people, would be akin to pouring water on a cat and being surprised when it tried to scratch him. The broken tip of his blade still flashes in Horikawa's mind when he closes his eyes, though.
He's no longer a useful sword. Not really. It's the least Horikawa can do, just to continue to care for those around him how he can.]
Shouldn't you be saving those words for someone more important, Yasusada-kun? [Kashuu, maybe? Okita? He's not saying as much out of a lack of confidence, so much as a sense of slight disbelief considering who else is here, but he smiles even so as Yamato takes his bite into the bread roll.] I have plenty of reason to do this for you, you just don't see it. I probably couldn't protect anyone in this state, but I still have to do my best somehow, and apparently you need somebody to look after you as well. Ah ー not that Kiyomitsu-kun doesn't do so too.
Mm. What I mean to say is, I don't hold it against you, Yasusada-kun. I don't think you would have done something like that on purpose. And I also don't think it's so strange to worry about someone who I've fought beside for so long, and someone who I can trust. So, I want to worry about you.
[If he doesn't do even that much, he would be a pretty awful ally, wouldn't he? Horikawa leans back slightly by the time he's finished speaking, bringing his now free hand back to shift behind him and shifting his weight to it. Hopefully this will make things more comfortable, because the warmth of Yamato leaning against him is nice after all, but he'll give a thoughtful sigh either way.]
I think it's a good reason. And in that case, I'll continue to do my best for you, and everyone else as well. In whatever way I can. [He pauses, and his tired smile is audible in his voice as he drops the other half of the roll back in Yamato's lap.] So, make sure you have breakfast tomorrow, okay?
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He's no longer a useful sword. Not really. It's the least Horikawa can do, just to continue to care for those around him how he can.]
Shouldn't you be saving those words for someone more important, Yasusada-kun? [Kashuu, maybe? Okita? He's not saying as much out of a lack of confidence, so much as a sense of slight disbelief considering who else is here, but he smiles even so as Yamato takes his bite into the bread roll.] I have plenty of reason to do this for you, you just don't see it. I probably couldn't protect anyone in this state, but I still have to do my best somehow, and apparently you need somebody to look after you as well. Ah ー not that Kiyomitsu-kun doesn't do so too.
Mm. What I mean to say is, I don't hold it against you, Yasusada-kun. I don't think you would have done something like that on purpose. And I also don't think it's so strange to worry about someone who I've fought beside for so long, and someone who I can trust. So, I want to worry about you.
[If he doesn't do even that much, he would be a pretty awful ally, wouldn't he? Horikawa leans back slightly by the time he's finished speaking, bringing his now free hand back to shift behind him and shifting his weight to it. Hopefully this will make things more comfortable, because the warmth of Yamato leaning against him is nice after all, but he'll give a thoughtful sigh either way.]
I think it's a good reason. And in that case, I'll continue to do my best for you, and everyone else as well. In whatever way I can. [He pauses, and his tired smile is audible in his voice as he drops the other half of the roll back in Yamato's lap.] So, make sure you have breakfast tomorrow, okay?