[ from yasusada's point of view, several things stand out. a) books aren't exactly lethal projectiles, and it's practically nothing compared to what he faced on the battlefield daily. b) he is his master's sword. even after having been manifested doesn't change that, and his master is allowed to do whatever he wants to with him, even if it's launching books in his general direction. c) he hadn't dodged because his knee-jerk reaction had been to almost draw his sword and slice the book in half, and in actively curbing that urge he hadn't had time to do anything but to let himself be hit, so really, it's his own fault that it happened. d) he could never fault haru for doing anything to him. it's in his nature as a sword to be deeply in love with his wielder, no matter who they are and how they act. from a practical point of view, and in which yasusada is always nothing but practical, the thrown book was not worth the breath used for the apology.
but haru's point of view is equally as important, if not more-so. no matter how he personally feels on the subject, it seems that haru felt badly about the incident, and it's not yasusada's place to counsel him otherwise. therefore, he's very surprised when he's suddenly pulled into a hug, warmth settling in on the surface of his head. haru's words surprise him even more, colours his feelings of warmth with sadness. being a fairly quiet sword himself, he's always respected in turn haru's taciturn nature, and while he may not truly understand haru's sentiments, he can at least understand that the fact that he is speaking so much must mean that these thoughts must've weighed on him quite a bit.
it makes his heart hurt. he's not particularly good at comforting others, doesn't know what to say really. but haru tries hard for them, he knows. for all these swords, and he owes it to his master to at least try, no matter how awkwardly. first, he reaches up with a hand, tilting his head up carefully so that he can see his master's face. seeing as he's under a branch and not quite tall enough to reach, he misses his mark, and is only able to pat haru's cheek, not his head as was intended. ]
Please don't sell yourself so short, Haru-sama. You were able to manifest so many of us; including me, and I am known to be difficult to use. [ he says this patiently, with his usual straight-forward honesty, each and every word sincere. ] You lead us to battle. You keep us safe with your strategies. You repair us when we're hurt, and you grieve for us when we fall.
[ and he knows that not all swords were ever grieved for when they fell. that at least one human being was able to watch their passing and cry for them is already more than they could've hoped for. yamato had never been grieved for, either, after okita-kun's death. to know that someone can witness his passing this time is for him, personally, a source of comfort. he goes on. ] You are a good master, and I am proud to serve you. You are worthy of my loyalty. I doubt I am the only one who feels this way. Your impact not always something that you can see with the eye. [ you only need to ask, and you'll hear it.
finally, he lowers his hand, and then his head. it feels odd to nod in deference when he's in an embrace, something that breaches the boundaries of their master and sword relationship, but he also owes it to haru to say this much. ]
If anything, I should be apologizing to you. If I could perform better, I could make it easier for you. But I can't ask you for your forgiveness [ and here yamato pauses again. hesitates. ] -- because I am glad that you are here.
[ glad that despite his feelings, the stress, how overwhelming it must be-- that he is still here and has yet to leave them. it gives him respect for his master, honour and dignity.
as the last words leave his lips, however, an uncharacteristic panic sets in. he very rarely talks this much as well, word after word tumbling forth like he's trying to put feelings to words and being extremely inadequate of it. a twinge of fear-- what if his words are off the mark, if they don't help, if they somehow make things worse? his face colours, feeling impudent, and he ducks his head in uncharacteristic shyness. ] I'm sorry, Haru-sama. I've... said too much. I apologize.
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but haru's point of view is equally as important, if not more-so. no matter how he personally feels on the subject, it seems that haru felt badly about the incident, and it's not yasusada's place to counsel him otherwise. therefore, he's very surprised when he's suddenly pulled into a hug, warmth settling in on the surface of his head. haru's words surprise him even more, colours his feelings of warmth with sadness. being a fairly quiet sword himself, he's always respected in turn haru's taciturn nature, and while he may not truly understand haru's sentiments, he can at least understand that the fact that he is speaking so much must mean that these thoughts must've weighed on him quite a bit.
it makes his heart hurt. he's not particularly good at comforting others, doesn't know what to say really. but haru tries hard for them, he knows. for all these swords, and he owes it to his master to at least try, no matter how awkwardly. first, he reaches up with a hand, tilting his head up carefully so that he can see his master's face. seeing as he's under a branch and not quite tall enough to reach, he misses his mark, and is only able to pat haru's cheek, not his head as was intended. ]
Please don't sell yourself so short, Haru-sama. You were able to manifest so many of us; including me, and I am known to be difficult to use. [ he says this patiently, with his usual straight-forward honesty, each and every word sincere. ] You lead us to battle. You keep us safe with your strategies. You repair us when we're hurt, and you grieve for us when we fall.
[ and he knows that not all swords were ever grieved for when they fell. that at least one human being was able to watch their passing and cry for them is already more than they could've hoped for. yamato had never been grieved for, either, after okita-kun's death. to know that someone can witness his passing this time is for him, personally, a source of comfort. he goes on. ] You are a good master, and I am proud to serve you. You are worthy of my loyalty. I doubt I am the only one who feels this way. Your impact not always something that you can see with the eye. [ you only need to ask, and you'll hear it.
finally, he lowers his hand, and then his head. it feels odd to nod in deference when he's in an embrace, something that breaches the boundaries of their master and sword relationship, but he also owes it to haru to say this much. ]
If anything, I should be apologizing to you. If I could perform better, I could make it easier for you. But I can't ask you for your forgiveness [ and here yamato pauses again. hesitates. ] -- because I am glad that you are here.
[ glad that despite his feelings, the stress, how overwhelming it must be-- that he is still here and has yet to leave them. it gives him respect for his master, honour and dignity.
as the last words leave his lips, however, an uncharacteristic panic sets in. he very rarely talks this much as well, word after word tumbling forth like he's trying to put feelings to words and being extremely inadequate of it. a twinge of fear-- what if his words are off the mark, if they don't help, if they somehow make things worse? his face colours, feeling impudent, and he ducks his head in uncharacteristic shyness. ] I'm sorry, Haru-sama. I've... said too much. I apologize.