[fic] Degrees of Astigmatism
Title: Degrees of Astigmatism
Subject: the ginko&adashino show Ginko, Adashino
Note: written for 30_friends; the section breaks are the relevant themes.
(practice)
Ginko's certain that he hasn't flinched, but there must be some reason why Adashino has paused. “What?” Ginko asks, glancing at him. The question would have sounded defensive in someone else’s voice.
Adashino is frowning at Ginko's half-bandaged wrist and does not look up, the professionalism in his touch somehow absent from his tone. “You should have seen a doctor earlier."
"They aren't exactly common in the mountains. I did what I could, and besides, you've just started out -- I thought you'd be glad for some practice."
“Not on you,” Adashino says, and resumes his work before Ginko can reply.
(an ugly shirt)
A while after their first bottle of sake, Adashino says, "I've always wondered about those strange clothes you wear."
“Hm?” Ginko replies, looking away from the sakura trees long enough to give Adashino his usual unimpressed stare. Adashino tucks his hands into his sleeves, more complacent than defensive, and shrugs: "They're not bad. Just odd."
The pause that follows is long, but not uncomfortable. Ginko picks a few stray petals off his shirt; Adashino neglects to point out that some have settled in his hair. "It could be worse," Ginko says eventually. "My first set of western clothes certainly were."
(common ground)
Ginko does not ask about Adashino's work, so Adashino does not talk about it. It is nothing as definite or conscious as an arrangement, just the way of things -- so even if ( and Adashino tells himself it is a very hypothetical 'if' ) it might be nice to have conversations with someone he bears no responsibility for, Adashino knows they have nothing worth calling common ground. So they talk about Ginko’s cases and Adashino's acquisitions and it is enough -- it must be. Adashino reminds himself that this is founded on their interest in mushi; that there is nothing else worth mentioning.
(party!)
The lanterns glow with a warm, reassuringly earthly light. This is nothing like the sleepy fishing village Ginko usually sees on his visits; he says as much to Adashino.
"I know." The satisfaction in Adashino's tone is strengthened by the fact that it is Ginko, for once, who is stating the obvious. "That's why I said we should come down here tonight. You spend all your time wandering about -- I thought you might like the chance to see a proper matsuri."
"It's... lively," Ginko offers.
Adashino grins, not in the least dissuaded. "Come on. They're about to start the dancing."
(jealousy)
"It must be beautiful." There is something in Adashino's voice - not wistfulness, exactly - that makes it clear what he means.
Ginko can sense the river of light without looking at it; its cold glow is the only constant of his nights. He supposes that is not an appropriate response. But there are too many things that Adashino, for all his interest in mushi, may recognise on some logical level without ever understanding -- Ginko looks up at the stars and says, with no particular emphasis, "It is."
"Ah." Adashino pauses, follows Ginko's gaze. "I suppose there are other rivers as well."
Subject: the ginko&adashino show Ginko, Adashino
Note: written for 30_friends; the section breaks are the relevant themes.
(practice)
Ginko's certain that he hasn't flinched, but there must be some reason why Adashino has paused. “What?” Ginko asks, glancing at him. The question would have sounded defensive in someone else’s voice.
Adashino is frowning at Ginko's half-bandaged wrist and does not look up, the professionalism in his touch somehow absent from his tone. “You should have seen a doctor earlier."
"They aren't exactly common in the mountains. I did what I could, and besides, you've just started out -- I thought you'd be glad for some practice."
“Not on you,” Adashino says, and resumes his work before Ginko can reply.
(an ugly shirt)
A while after their first bottle of sake, Adashino says, "I've always wondered about those strange clothes you wear."
“Hm?” Ginko replies, looking away from the sakura trees long enough to give Adashino his usual unimpressed stare. Adashino tucks his hands into his sleeves, more complacent than defensive, and shrugs: "They're not bad. Just odd."
The pause that follows is long, but not uncomfortable. Ginko picks a few stray petals off his shirt; Adashino neglects to point out that some have settled in his hair. "It could be worse," Ginko says eventually. "My first set of western clothes certainly were."
(common ground)
Ginko does not ask about Adashino's work, so Adashino does not talk about it. It is nothing as definite or conscious as an arrangement, just the way of things -- so even if ( and Adashino tells himself it is a very hypothetical 'if' ) it might be nice to have conversations with someone he bears no responsibility for, Adashino knows they have nothing worth calling common ground. So they talk about Ginko’s cases and Adashino's acquisitions and it is enough -- it must be. Adashino reminds himself that this is founded on their interest in mushi; that there is nothing else worth mentioning.
(party!)
The lanterns glow with a warm, reassuringly earthly light. This is nothing like the sleepy fishing village Ginko usually sees on his visits; he says as much to Adashino.
"I know." The satisfaction in Adashino's tone is strengthened by the fact that it is Ginko, for once, who is stating the obvious. "That's why I said we should come down here tonight. You spend all your time wandering about -- I thought you might like the chance to see a proper matsuri."
"It's... lively," Ginko offers.
Adashino grins, not in the least dissuaded. "Come on. They're about to start the dancing."
(jealousy)
"It must be beautiful." There is something in Adashino's voice - not wistfulness, exactly - that makes it clear what he means.
Ginko can sense the river of light without looking at it; its cold glow is the only constant of his nights. He supposes that is not an appropriate response. But there are too many things that Adashino, for all his interest in mushi, may recognise on some logical level without ever understanding -- Ginko looks up at the stars and says, with no particular emphasis, "It is."
"Ah." Adashino pauses, follows Ginko's gaze. "I suppose there are other rivers as well."