Genma knelt down to dig in his pack, trading his nail brush to Katsuko for the piece of chocolate she still held. "It’s an Eros thing,” he told her quietly, when he caught her gaze on his little leather case of grooming supplies. “I’ve got shampoo, conditioner, shave cream, aftershave... You probably don’t need those last two.” He shrugged and chuckled. “Anyway, I know what it's like when your hands are disgusting after a mission."

Katsuko’s dark eyes flicked to his scar-chased knuckles, and Genma could have choked on the chocolate still melting on his tongue. He turned away from her to find Hajime’s eyes on him as well.

“I need a smoke,” Genma said abruptly.

Hajime was already holding out a pack. “You have time for one cig, Gen, and then we’ll move out. The sooner we’re back over Fire Country’s border, the better. We’ll make camp on the other side of Three Rivers Gorge.”

Genma nodded and took the cigarettes, heading for the cave’s mouth. Hajime followed him, setting a hand lightly against Genma’s shoulder again. Genma tried to shrug it off, which just made Hajime hang on.

“Gen?” Hajime asked. There was a whole world of concern in his voice.

“It’s nothing,” Genma told him. “Give me a light.” He took one slender tobacco stick out with hands that didn’t shake. It seemed like a lifetime ago that he’d had that first mission with Raidou. That had been an Eros mission, too, and Genma had smoked half a carton trying to come back into himself in the hotel room afterwards.

The smoke was thick and dry on his throat, chasing thoughts and memories away as the ash burned down towards his lips.

After a long minute, Hajime let go. “Anything painful?”

“No. Tsuda was a real gentleman,” Genma said, blowing smoke out in a thin laugh. “Had lube all ready to go and everything.”

Hajime nodded. “Hands?” he asked carefully.

“Didn’t touch them.” Genma said. “I’m fine. Let me smoke one more and we can go.”

“You’re the boss,” Hajime told him. “I’ll go keep Katsuko company while you finish.”

And that was another great thing about Hajime. He knew when to leave you alone. But not too alone.