HijiGin - Bittersweet

Chapter 20

  Gintoki ran through the streets of Kabuki-Cho in a rush. He swerved past people and objects expertly until he spotted his destination.

  Crap...Did he already leave? Those thoughts filled the head of the silver-haired samurai as he glanced everywhere outside his destination – a bar that he and his significant other often frequented.

  Unable to spot his date, a pang of hurt shot through him. He sighed and decided to at least enter the bar and perhaps drown his sorrow in alcohol.

  However, upon entering, he was surprised by the presence of his companion, who sat at the bar counter, body turned slightly to face him.

  "You're late, idiot."

  "H-Hijikata!" Gintoki whispered the other's name, pleasantly surprised to see him. Pulling and sitting on the seat beside Hijikata, Gintoki suppressed a happy smile and instead ordered drinks.

  "So, now that you're here, I have something important to discuss with you." Hijikata took a sip of his drink and kept his head facing the front, but directed his eyes to Gintoki's.

  "What is it?" It had certainly perked Gintoki's curiosity since Hijikata had shown a mildly serious demeanour...or, at least, the less playful more business seriousness.

  "We've found a way to get your memories back." By sacrificing other memories, thought Hijikata bitterly as he bit his lips. Gintoki's eyes lit up, however, and excitement coursed through his body at the mere thought of it.

  "Ooh, Really? How?" Gintoki tried to hide his obvious happiness by calmly sipping some sake, and though it would've made Hijikata laugh any other day but today.

  "..." Sensing Hijikata's discomfort, Gintoki put the cup down and gently nudged Hijikata, trying to get a better look at his face.

  "Hey, what's wrong?"

  "...Gintoki, if I said that you had to forget everyone else you've ever met in exchange for remembering me, would you?"

  Silence took over as Gintoki realised what Hijikata was trying to say. He adopted a more serious approach to the question and pondered carefully.

  Why isn't he rejecting it? It's clear which path he should take and yet...I'm embarrassed by this feeling of hope I hold, damn it. Hijikata braced himself for rejection. He had for a long time, ever since Gintoki had come out with the shocking truth.

  "I wouldn't."

  And that was the final blow to Hijikata's already broken heart. Pieces of hope shattering as he fell deeper and deeper into the bottomless pit of despair.

  "Because I know you'd make me remember you, even without doing that."

  "...Huh?" Hijikata was left dumbfounded. He almost thought that he had misheard something but Gintoki had said it loud and clear.

  However, it was the look in his eyes that got him. It was like as if he had still held all his memories of Hijikata within his mind and withdrew them in that short period of time. Those eyes that showed every bit of knowledge.

  His absolute trust tugged at Hijikata's heartstrings and threatened him with tears, which he held back because it would be quite a pathetic sight if he were to cry in this instance.

  "You're gonna regret this, y'know?" The words were muffled slightly as Hijikata leaned on top of his palm, facing away from Gintoki with a faint blush colouring his cheeks and ears.

  "I know." Gintoki gave a teasing grin, also dusted with a slight pink, and poured them both a cup.

  "For Hijikata, who vowed to make me remember him!" Gintoki cheerfully lifted the cup and clinked it against Hijikata's and downed it, releasing a refreshed sound from his mouth to show his satisfaction.

  "Wha–! D-Don't go putting words in my mouth, you..." Hijikata faked annoyance but was actually really happy that Gintoki had said it out loud. It would fuel his desire to achieve his goal even more now.

  Please...please let us have a happy ending. Hijikata prayed silently as he drank his own cup, slower than Gintoki but nonetheless also managed to drink it one go.

  After, they had spent almost the whole night talking and drinking. Hijikata had managed to maintain some level of intelligence but on the other hand, Gintoki was struggling to even keep his eyes open.

  "Excuse me, but we'll be closing soon."

  "Oh, uh, of course!" Hijikata pulled out his wallet and put a few bills on the table before hauling Gintoki's drunken ass back home. This was, in Hijikata's mind, one of the few bad things about drinking with Gintoki.

  It wasn't that Gintoki couldn't hold his liquor - it was actually the opposite. He has decent alcohol tolerance, definitely better than Hijikata - it was just that once he has started, he couldn't stop.

  Hijikata secretly suspected that some emotional factors were involved with Gintoki's drinking habits, but never sought to question him about it. Quite ironic as it was always Gintoki doing the questioning, never much but when he does, it's always hit home.

  Amazing was what Hijikata thought. It took him long periods of time to warm up to anyone, including Kondo-san, so just what had made Gintoki so special that after spending no more than a few months together caused him to be opening up about sensitive topics he had locked away deep within his heart?

  He gave Gintoki a one-over and decided it'd be unwise to attempt to question him, so he continued the journey back in silence.

  "Hiji...*hic* kata." Gintoki tried to turn his head towards Hijikata, attempting to make eye contact.

  "What?"

  "Nothing. Hehehehe." Gintoki suddenly burst into a giggle fit that left Hijikata dumbfounded as to what was amusing to him right now.

  "...You should go to the hospital and get your brains checked." Hijikata shook his head and sighed, but it only caused Gintoki to laugh harder.

  By now, Hijikata was itching to grab a smoke because no matter what he did, Gintoki would just keep laughing and ignore him. Hijikata was starting to ponder whether Gintoki had actually sustained some sort of brain damage when the other suddenly stopped laughing.

  "3 weeks."

  "...3 weeks?" Hijikata spared Gintoki a confused glance.

  "It's been 3 weeks since then. Remember, when you found me drunk and walked me back home? I even apologised, y'know."

  Gintoki pouted and Hijikata would be admiring his cuteness if it wasn't for what Gintoki had just pointed out – or rather, remembered.

  Unfortunately, before he could ask Gintoki what else he'd remembered, the other had passed out.

  ...Why do you always pass out at the worst of times, you lazy perm? Hijikata groaned and mentally reminded himself to watch how much the other drank next time.

  But, for some odd reason, he couldn't help the corners of his lips lifting up.

  So...it's already been 3 weeks, huh.

   A/N:

  Thanks to everyone who read and supported my story, I was able to power through my writer's block (ahem, aka laziness *cough cough*)! There's just so many ways that this story could go and I honestly prefer the long, never-ending stories but a lot of people seem to like short ones...Should I end mine sooner than later or drag it out in full detail? I swear to God I need to stop running from things lol XD 

  *sees a problem, swiftly dodges it only to be hit in the face with it again later* 

  Really cannot apologize enough for the inconsistent updates though. (I did warn you in my bio hehe :P)

  Also, @Gintokilover01 thanks for awakening my inner responsible self lol. Even though we just met I feel like we get along just fine ^^