mysteries | ic; there's so many wars we fought, there's so many things we're not

[ It's okay, granddaddy will even allow the little shit attitude.. after all, Kazutake's a little more loose than Amagiri when it comes to that. He's still the one who sticks by the rules the most, who's deemed the most responsible, who the others look up to in a sense.. but he's also the one who got into trouble throwing a rock through a window when he was little while playing with Kazuya and Chitose, and who thinks that hitting fellow demon lords on the head is a perfectly acceptable way of scolding them.

So if Amagiri can show a slightly more violent bit of spine towards Kazama.. well, Kazutake will be happy if that day comes, that's for sure.

It's probably why he chuckles a little at how serious Amagiri takes it.. totally his grandson, that's for sure. No one can mistake these genes. ]

No wonder all the clan members speak so highly of you. I cannot imagine them acting any different towards such a diligent leader.

[Kazutake is everything Amagiri wants to grow up to be......... what an inspiring role model.

Survive through Saitou route, Kazutake, then he can report how that violent bit of spine went (aka not that great for him but hey, even worse for kazama).

Nonetheless, that was not the response he was expecting at all, and for a moment, he looks legitimately surprised, the emotion surprisingly plain on his face. Still...that's more praise than he was ever expecting.]

That is... [He gathers his composure and finds his tongue, somehow, even if his brain is still a little flatlining.] ...They praise me too highly. [he was never expecting that, despite how he tries his very best.]

That I have their trust and yours is high praise as it is.

[And he feels really honored by it, and a little humbled, honestly.]

[ At least this time he's just telling the truth instead of being the gushing granddaddy.. even if he's no longer the clan head, he's still pretty involved with everyone in the clan. So Kazutake makes sure to go around and talk to the members regularly, so he picks up a lot of commentary on how Amagiri is as a clan head.. and everyone loves him, as they should!!

Not that it's hard not to - he's so organized and polite, what else could you want out of a clan head. ]

Trust is not something that is given as praise. [ He smiles - a little more knowingly now, though. Ah, this is sort of nostalgic.. just like all those times he lectured Chitose about what a proper head should be like, huh? ]

It is a matter that is earned by being a good leader. They have seen your performance, and have chosen to put their trust in you. So that fact is nothing but a result of your merits.

[A result of his merits, huh....

It feels wrong taking complete and total responsibility for all of that though. Honestly, the clan is the way it is because of his ancestors, and he, too, is the way he is because he was raised as he was.

So he just bows his head, humble and content.]

Then I will work hard to be worthy of that trust and their belief in me.

[A pause, and he slowly looks at Kazutake, because...the clan is important, but admittedly, Kazutake's opinion is also important in a different way.]

And yours as well, in allowing me to take on this duty.

[ "Allowing".. Amagiri, please, as if they'd want such an ass old demon as they clan leader even now!! Not that Kazutake wasn't plenty beloved in his own time - and even now many of the older members of the clan speak fondly to him - but he wouldn't want to hog that spot forever. You eventually got to pass it on, and he knows it very well. Kazutake is no Queen of England, that's for sure.

That thought does pass through his head, and it makes him laugh softly, friendly. Like between family. ]

I did not know I was special enough to earn a seperate mention. [ Sure, it could just be since Amagiri is talking to him personally now and all.. but he knows just how much respect his grandson has for him. It's a little humbling, honestly, even if it makes him feel happy at the same time. ]

[Allowing!!!! He wasn't guaranteed this spot, okay, he thinks he had to earn it, and he thinks that he rather did.

But well....he feels a little sheepish that Kazutake pointed it out because yeah, the clan is above everything else and family is family and they are all family... but he does feel particularly indebted to his ancestor, it's hard to deny.]

For all you have done for both the clan and myself, I felt the need to acknowledge your part in this. I would not be who I am today without your influence and teachings.

[At least he's capable of being honest unlike some other demons we can name!!!]

[ He's capable of being honest and polite and it's truly a miracle, considering just how badly all the others turned out.

Although Kazutake figured something like this would happen if anyone would ever let Shin bring forth offspring into this world.. he loves you, man, but you're not exactly the model parent. Maybe it's why Shiranui seems to have at least some sense of decency left deep down, it's very like Kazutake's ginger friend..

.. still can't compare to his perfect precious cinnamon roll grandson, though. ]

Then I shall make sure to give myself a pat on the back for it later.

[ It's meant as a small joke, especially with the smile on Kazutake's face.. this is Amagiri Humor, people, stand back before you die laughing.

Although a moment later Kazutake leans over to Amagiri very slightly, with that same smile, a hand landing softly on the other demon's shoulder -- ]

There is one thing you could do for me in return as a favor, however.

[oh no, there are some edgy jokes happening there, oh noooo.

But Amagiri's lips also quirk into a smile, so clearly this is some intensive Amagiri humor happening here... nonetheless, a moment later, he's back to serious, meeting Kazutake's eyes firmly and nodding.

It doesn't really matter what the request is--Amagiri will do it without hesitation. Because. It's Kazutake asking. Unlike in his other situations, where he has to no matter what he feels about it, due to the required debt they have to repay, here it is his choice...and his choice is that he wants to do it.]

Of course. [Never in question.] What is it I can do?

[ How cute that he's taking it so seriously.. not that Kazutake doesn't mean his request seriously - he's not mean enough to just prank the other or something like that - but it's still adorable, okay. His grandson is just adorable, no way out of it!!

And at least he doesn't keep him waiting, immediately answering after he asks. ]

After the entire matter with Chitose's grandson is over.. [ Because he can't - or maybe doesn't want to - imagine Amagiri having to work for Kazama for the rest of his life, that'd be shitty.. ] .. find a kind woman and settle down.

[ Did you think it wasn't going to be an embarrassing family request. Because it's an embarrassing family request all over. ]

Nothing in this world would make me happier than to witness that.

[RECORD SCRATCH

Not that Amagiri is necessarily against the idea--it sounds like paradise to him, settling down and having a nice family and not having to worry about politics and duty and the like--but put like that, it's just so overwhelming. Especially from his ancestor, talking to him like this. And a serious request at that??

GRANDPA PLS.

It takes him a moment to recover enough to even speak, because for a moment, he's legitimately slack-jawed. Look at what you've done.]

That is--

[...????

A moment more, and he manages--]

That is your request?

[It's kind of strangled sounding don't mind that]

[ Managing to do this to an Amagiri is pretty amazing.. maybe it's something only Amagiris among each other are truly capable of. And maybe even Kazutake didn't see a reaction this strong coming.. sure, his grandson is serious, but this is a little too much, isn't it..

He tries to keep the mood light the best he can though, even if it sounds like the other is choking. (There, there...) ]

Yes.

[ He's not going to budge on this though. Unless Amagiri has suddenly developed some hate of marriage, then he's going to be a little sad, but he won't push him.. ]

Do not misunderstand. You are very dedicated to the clan, and I doubt they could have gotten a more serious and responsible head.

[ Even moreso than him - although Kazutake was a pretty rad clan head himself. ]

But even so.. you should think of yourself too, if not just once in a while. You have a right to be happy as well. Do not reduce yourself to a single link in a chain, rather than your own person.

[Look, he's a very dutiful and impressionable grandson, you can't just spring something like that on him!!

But...admittedly, it's a sweet request. In a way, it's something he hadn't dared consider while mired in all of this debt and duty. Still... it's a nice thought, isn't it?

He has the right to be happy as well.

Slowly, Amagiri takes a slow breath, and then he smiles, though his head is ducked still, if only to hide how it's a little...sad. Kazutake tries so hard on his behalf, and sometimes he wishes that there were a way to convince him completely that he's content with his lot in life. Happy, no. It's not good enough to be happy. But it is enough, and he doesn't want his grandfather to struggle so much with the consequences he could have never seen coming.

But perhaps doing just this in the far future would be enough to convince him.]

Then...someday, I will do so. When this duty is done, and we are able as a clan to move on, I will start a family. [tiny Amagiri children........... no that's too perfect to contemplate

and then he properly looks up at Kazutake, smile more proper.]

I will request in turn that you are present when the time comes to see my fulfillment of this promise.

[ That's all the answer he needs.

He doesn't need it to happen right now. Kazutake, more than probably any of the other demons currently around aside from Amagiri himself, understands what it's like. It's a heavy duty, but one they stick to, since.. it's just the way they are. It's how they were raised. Kazutake also didn't think of settling down until he tried his best to provide his family with the best possible circumstances he could create for a bunch of hobos.

It didn't work out too well, but.. he did try. So knowing that Amagiri will be able to do the same in the future.. that's enough for him. ]

I do hope so.

[ It's why it comes with a small chuckle. ]

I would not wish to be denied a chance to see my great-grandchildren. [ Because grampa sure loves babies.. and he wants to meet Amagiri's cute waifu too, by that time..!! This is the stuff Kazutake lives for, okay, that's totally worth practically 300 years of putting up with Shin for. ]

[Grampa sure does love babies........ and cute waifus. And flustering Amagiri, wow. Amagiri coughs quietly at that, under his breath, attempting to clear his throat and not be as embarrassed as he 100% is.

Ahem. Ahem.]

...Yes. Then it is a deal.

[He'll have a family of cute tiny babies and Kazutake can grandpa them and be adorable.]

It will be good that you have another target for your doting.

[he's too embarrassed!! also probably teasing in this instance.]

[ At least he seems to be taking the teasing with a laugh.. a slightly embarrassed laugh in turn, but it's a good-natured laugh all the same. ]

Is it that much over the top..?

[ Because Amagiri isn't one to complain, at all. Or even teasing like this is pretty rare, so Kazutake figures it must've been pretty obvious that he's just having trouble moving on from the fact that his cute baby descendants aren't babies anymore. Like a true old man and all. ]

It is just.. it only feels like a few years ago that you were still that small, too. [ Kazutake, no, you're exactly doing what you're not supposed to do right away again!! Can't turn off the embarrassing family man part of this demon, apparently.. Can't take it out of him.. ]

[GRANDPA....... GRANDPA.

But honestly? Amagiri doesn't mind. He may have teased back a little bit, but if he's got to seriously explain it, it would be that it's a warm feeling that Kazutake would dote on him this much. Kazutake sees him, the demon that he is, for all that he is. He sees his faults and his successes, and he still treasures him to the extent that they can have conversations like this...

To Amagiri, that is something priceless.

This is why family is so important, why it must be protected. Because family will always stay beside you--always. So he ducks his head, smiling faintly, but his voice is serious.]

Your care and love throughout the years has made me in part into the demon I am today. I am grateful to you, for today as all days, and for everything you have given me.

[doting included

even if it's embarrassing.]

[ He has such a kind grandson, to accept all his stupid doting so easily.. but that's probably just what the Amagiri are like, honestly. Behind everyone else's backs they're actually adorable and deserve so much more than this demon world is giving them.

And even if he said he would have minded it, well.. it still wouldn't have hurt Kazutake. He's pretty sure he's incapable of experiencing negative emotions as long as the other can smile like that, honestly. It means that there is still hope for a better future. ]

And I am grateful for everything you give in return, both to myself and to the clan.

[ How could he not be? Amagiri is - if at all possible - even more dedicated to this whole thing than Kazutake is. He wishes he could have given his grandson a slightly better and easier life, but alas.. ]

No matter what might change.. the world, humans, even demons.. I shall be here. Even when my time comes, I shall still be watching over you, as all my ancestors before me have done the same for me. Your family shall always be there for you, even at moments when you might not notice it. [ So think of that if Kazama tries being a jackass again, okay.. ]

[In a way, it really is a breathtakingly kind thing to say. It's something he will think about the next time Kazama is being a dick, that's for sure..... and honestly? That will be enough. To know that his family is always with him, supporting him... and that Kazutake, like his ancestors, will be watching over him, provides him with an unbelievable amount of comfort.

Amagiris livin' the family life.]

You have my thanks. [For everything, really.....] As that is the case, I am certain I must succeed in all of my endeavors.

[since how embarrassing would it be if he failed!!! with Kazutake watching!!! But, more sincerely (and with more dokis)--]

My family will give me strength.

ic; there's so many wars we fought, there's so many things we're not

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject