jigokulogs | (open/closed) you were a wild thing

You don't need to trouble yourself with it, Robin-san.

[ it's true that he's bleeding, the damp shine of it seeping into already dark clothes. shou's gaze pins to robin as if implicating him in how he came to notice it; it's a shallow reminder of what he's lost by coming here, and also what he's gained: a body that bleeds to mend itself with human slowness, signaling to him its sudden normalcy.

but his reaction to it remains, expression untroubled by pain or anything at all, really. ]

As my senior, you must have other duties to see to right now.

[ let him do the dirty work? ]

You're right! I don't need to trouble myself! But I want to.

[ that being said, he's already reaching into his coat pockets, pulling out what looks like a few adhesive bandages. yep, this looks like a two or three band-aid situation if he ever saw one. maybe more? robin crouches down to get a better look, squinting at it through the clothes. ]

No, I'm... [ robin looks away. don't call him out like this. ] ... not very good in a fight. Not very good at a lot of things, actually.

[ then he raises his gaze up, towards shou, smile on his face almost serene. ]

So that's why I rather help out in this way. Support the people that can do what I can't.

[ or what he's not willing to do. anyway.

robin's eyes flicker over to the twitching of fingers, of a thug trying to reach for his bat with nails in it. a struggle for him. ]

[ in that moment, shou thinks that robin likely shouldn't be out here. but he can't fault him for what he's trying to do, extending a hand to try and uphold rather than ruin — it's always the people like this who insist they're not good at much who leave behind the brightest light, the biggest impression. shou is quiet a long moment, the hush of their surroundings only breaking when he hears the stirring behind them. he catches robin's wrist as a signal to stay where he is. ]

Wait.

[ turning, he approaches the youkai on the ground. what comes isn't another display of violence or strength, but one of finality: he softly toes the bat out of his range with his foot. ]

Leave it. And leave this area too, when you've recovered.

[ or else is what he doesn't say, but he figures they get the idea. that done, his attention returns to robin. ]

If you're going to do this [ a glance at the bandages ] we should also leave this area for somewhere safer.

[ mercy. a beautiful thing, and something that robin wishes could happen more often around here. some youkai don't understand the concept. some are just too greedy. unkind. they want to climb the metaphorical ladder and be on top, which is definitely difficult to do when there are already enough leaders for each of the clans. perhaps it's the allure of money that's been drawing them out? probably...

still, he would rather see his juniors--- and anyone, really--- offer a way out. to safety. cowardly or not. especially when it's obvious that shou is strong. human or not, these demons will probably think twice before trying to strongarm him again. ]

Yeah. Um...! Follow me.

[ towards the opening, toward a busier street. that's where robin wants to go. some place that's more occupied. ]

I don't know what you'd call safe, but probably anywhere is better than here.

[ robin snatches shou's hand. fingers automatically weave and lace together. ]

And there's no great cafés around either.

[ the feeling of fingers weaving between his is more foreign than the cold itch of a wound, the sensation of losing blood. but he tightens his fingers anyway as a signal that he'll follow wherever robin wants to lead — shou is a quick study, but robin likely knows the territory better than he does.

his expression is still mostly shaded by his hood and dark hair, but there's a slight downturn to his mouth, a grimace. ]

A café may not appreciate the way I look right now... [ what he wouldn't give to be able to stash his combat uniform in his watch again. ] But anywhere with less eyes will probably be fine.

[ even in the diamond-dusted tamamo territory where mizukume looms, shou knows that they're not among human company. blood in the water is blood in the water, especially for someone who made the first move. passing a glimpse around the crowded streets where they might just slip by and be lost among those chasing their desires, he lingers behind robin some as they walk. the injury is small, but its presence has put him on edge. ]

I'll trust wherever you lead.

You'd be surprised what some youkai will overlook if you're a customer.

[ it's said lightly, but it's also 100% true. robin can attest to that philosophy of cold, unfeeling business, even if he doesn't want to. a café would be the best place for him to duck into. it means the possibility of avoiding any more conflict, depending on the owner. they buy something, they might also have protection. it's as simple and as complex as that. ]

Actually... I know a place. I still have the key.

[ hopefully they didn't change the locks. they're close enough to tamamo territory, on the fringes, and that means he knows where to go. he should anyway; he is a lieutenant and therefore, acquainted with places.

it's a non-lit building. boards on windows, door seemingly untouched and surprisingly not in disrepair. ]

I used to work here. [ as he pulls out a set of keys to unlock said door. ] But the owner of the bar... um, disappeared...

[ inside? stools on tables. dust. empty bottles. cigarette butts. cobwebs. a place to hide. ]

[ whatever situations and threats he's experienced, it's clear there's less room in his mind to reconcile that business might trump blood. it's not the way of things where he's from — or rather, not the way of things with what he deals with. a weapon has no need for leverage, after all.

lead by the hand, he's obedient now, gaze raking over the dark building once as robin unlocks it and gives them entry. nothing amiss, though there's a certain... energy, to abandoned places like this. ]

I see. I hope being here isn't uncomfortable for you.

[ disappeared... what a loaded word. ]

[ he doesn't want to, but he does let go of shou's hand. not that he feels any more or less in danger, with the prospect of some group of thugs looking for revenge coming after them, but it does offer some kind of protection of sorts. ]

No. Not anymore.

[ it's the truth, as he crouches down and begins to opens a few cabinets and frowns when each one is empty. he'll just have to keep searching until he finds what he needs. ]

I'm in a much better place now. Anyway, this bar used to be called the Foxglove. It used to be pretty nice, but after I left to work with Mister Shylock? They couldn't maintain a profit, and I heard the owner was skimming money...

[ ah. finally, the last one--- he makes a happy noise of triumph before pulling what he finds out and triumphantly places it on the bar in front of them both. a small red box, with a little white cross on it. ]

... nice! There should be some antiseptic in here, just so your cuts won't get infected. You don't mind if I spray them real quick, do you?

[ approaching shou with a smile, he's back to showing off the combination of cute band aids and the solution he's found. that is until... a sound. voices? multiple?? robin grips the can tightly, suddenly going still and quiet. he doesn't know if it's the same group that finally did recover or not, but he freezes all the same. ]

[ not anymore.

there is clarity in such a statement and shou briefly wonders if this place was once the source of robin's job troubles when he was first contracted to tamamo. it certainly seems so. once robin lets go, he reaches up to push the fabric of his hood off, letting it drape over his shoulders instead. it gives him a better vantage to look around with while he listens to his senior rummage around in search of something.

his footsteps sound briefly on the floor when he approaches the bar, reaching out with a gloved hand to swipe away some of the dust. robin's question causes him to glance over. ]

Yes, that's fi —

[ but the sudden presence of unwanted company makes the words halt in his throat. actually, this is not fine? he allows himself only a moment of surprise until his eyes sharpen, piercing through the cracks in the boarded up windows. in a flash his focus hones on robin. instantly, his steps turn silent as he approaches the other boy, seizing him by the shoulder and pulling him back behind the bar. pressing him down, shou kneels over him, sliding one dagger from its holster and tucking it against his arm. ]

Shh. [ he lifts his opposite index finger to his lips. ] Quiet.

[ oh, he's not planning on making any noises. not making any sudden movements. that's why he's so easy to move, also taken by surprise. no resistance whatsoever from the young vampire who allows himself to get pulled behind the bar and immediately crouches down with shou's help, and his eyes go right to the dagger.

his mouth opens but nothing comes out. from fear, probably. that he doesn't want to put himself in a potentially dangerous situation but also, to not put shou in a similar one. after all--- he's hurt! it doesn't matter if he acknowledges it or not. he knows he's feeling it someway. no one is that invincible. ]

Ah...

[ a small noise as he covers up. how quickly will this pass? or how slowly? he can feel a few beads of sweat on his forehead for every second they stay quiet, and even as the grumbling and rumbling of voices begin to fade off into the distance there is a lightheadedness that begins to grow.

he should probably breathe. ]

... are they gone...?

[ whispered. just in case. he slowly stands up, eyes just above the edge of the counter, peeking. ]

[ he should probably breathe.

shou does, quietly exhaling after a long moment of silence passes following the voices in the dark. his shoulders relax and he eases away from robin, lowering the dagger from where it'd been poised, definitely ready to strike. ]

I think so. I'm very sorry.

[ though his voice is low in the back of his throat, he's being completely sincere in his apology. ]

I should have noticed we were being followed.

You don't need to apologize.

[ he's breathing again, shallow little noises that aren't quick to relax just quite yet. that once shou has pulled that dagger away, robin finally can go in for the 'kill'.

with a huff, he wraps his arms around shou. a quick hug and a peck on the cheek--- lips that touch briefly--- before he pulls back and finally lets out a sigh of relief, knowing that they should be uninterrupted from this point forward. hopefully. ]

Besides, I should be thanking you... that was really scary, you know?

[ but he does keep his arms loosely anchored around him. just in case. or something. ]

[ closeness and warmth make him freeze up for half a second, not because of what the gestures are, but because robin is giving them to him. the faint pulse of adrenaline keeps him a little rigid in his arms, but the nature of it, the danger, changes. ]

I wouldn't have let them get far.

[ not that he thinks he needs to be thanked for that, but he figures robin won't want to hear it. ]

...watch your sleeves.

[ or they'll get bloody. ]

[ there's another moment where he wants to lean in, steal another moment. show his appreciation. it's not like shou pushed back, showed disdain, anything else of that nature. taking away an inch that could turn into a mile. how else can someone be thankful without shoving a useless gift into their arms or float meaningless words into their ears?

no. a hug and kiss are the best thank you presents. ]

I know.

[ he's sure of it. no question, no doubt. ]

Mm, it's okay! It wouldn't be the first time I've gotten bloody. [ a moment, and then he shakes his head. ] Not like that.

[ it's time to spray and put those band aids on. sorry that they're a very particular brand, btw. ]

[ breathing out through his nose, more heavily than normal, shou stows the knife again and keeps his arm out of the way while robin tends to the slash on his side. his gaze remains sharp but cast off somewhere else, unflinching even when hit with the antiseptic spray.

yes, he can use the Brand Adhesives. shou will allow it, it really brightens up his goth boy outfit. ]

Not like that... do you end up tending to people like this often?

(open/closed) you were a wild thing

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