[Why didn't Hijikata listen? Because of his duty as a policeman, to both the clueless, innocent people of Nightwake City and to Koro. After all, he'd be a victim too if the goddamn rain made him do things he normally wouldn't do, right? And he, Hijikata, is strong, both mentally and physically, and whatever might happen, he can handle it better than a hapless civilian.

(He definitely didn't ignore Koro's warnings because it's exciting, or because the rain is a convenient excuse. Neither because he's a repressed, buttoned-up man who rarely allows himself an outlet for his needs and desires, nor because Koro is friendly and handsome, and he's attracted to him. Oh no.)

At the embrace, he doesn't balk or fight. It's a relief, really. He runs his hands over Koro's. Such nice hands. They undid all the tension and knots in his body back when he gave him a massage. Koro's a kind man, isn't he? He has no idea what a rotten one Hijikata is, using the pretense of his job to corner him like this, under circumstances that cause him such distress.]

You couldn't think of a cheesier line, could you? Let's see if we can handle it without more fire, then.

[Being held feels so goddamn nice, all the more with the energy exchange enhancing the sensation, but he wants to return the gesture, and it's hard in his position. If nothing else, he lets his hands wander from Koro's forearms to his upper arms, then raises one hand to touch his jaw.]

Isn't this already helping?