chaotically_rem

Innocence.

Gintoki knew better. He knew when he stood by Takasugi's side, parrying and striking in perfect sync with the teen beside him, knew that they would never work. Not because their attitudes were similar enough that they argued over everything. Not because they were constantly in battle, fighting on the losing side of a war and it was very likely that one of them would die. Not because they weren't good enough friends, close enough comrades.

No. The reason it wouldn't work out was something much simpler than that. Something that both warmed and broke Gintoki's heart.

"Zura." Takasugi said the second they were back at camp, his voice low but always pleasant to Gintoki's ears. "You burned your hair. Idiot."

Gintoki watched from afar as his best friend scowled, refusing to shift over on the log he was perched on when Takasugi sat too close. Zura began to bicker, but Gintoki didn't hear a word.

He was too busy staring at Takasugi's infatuated gaze.