Hi guys. This is my VERY VERY FIRST GinHiji fic. Recently i've become very obsessed with this pairing, hope you guys like it! This was actually written for my cousin, the one who introduced to me this awesome world which has now become my alternate universe. Dear HijiMayo, this is for you, hope you appreciate this! (X though i mailed you my handwritten chapters already... But this is a little bit edited. I'm trying to make this chapter hit a thousand words haha (: can you just...write me my letter already? Please?

Exasperation

Hijikata Toushirou sat outside his room, leaning against the doors and gazing at the stars while he took long drags on his cigarette. "Damn that Yorozuya... He's late." A semi translucent cloud drifted in front of the waning moonー a significant sliver of soft, shimmering glow that somehow illuminated the black canvas of night enough for vision to succeed.

Thin trails of smoke wisped from his lips and spiralled upwards into nothing. It was a cold night, and he didn't appreciate sitting in the freezing chill in a hakama. His eyes narrowed when he noticed a silhouette sauntering towards him with an air of nonchalance. "That bastard... still taking his own sweet time. I'm going to bash his head in..."

"Yo, Oogushi-kun! What's upー"

Hijikata chucked the cigarette at the silver-haired samurai, who yelped in surprise and stamped the glowing tip out. "What 'what's up', you bastard! What have you been doing! I've been sitting out here freezing my bloody ass off and you don't even apologize!"

Gintoki observed the tints of red start to spread out on Hijikata's cheeks, partly from his irritation and partly from the cold. "Well then..."

"This is it! You're always lateー" he was cut off when Gintoki leaned forward to place his lips on Hijikata's open mouth. The sudden movement shocked the vice-commander speechless and the blush on his face intensified.

Gintoki pulled back and smirking, stroked Hijikata's cheek with his finger. "You're cold, so I thought you needed some warming up."

"That...the..." Hijikata cursed himself for stuttering. "We're outside! What if Kondo-san or Sougo or Yamazaki saw that! They would make a ruckus! They would never let me forget this! Iー"

"Ah? There's no one around." Gintoki kissed the flustered vice commander again. "With this, I am forgiven, right?"

"Well...that's..."

"I know I am. Now, it's bloody freezing out here..." Gintoki pushed aside the door and went into the room.

"O...oi! Yorozuya! How can you just invite yourself into someone'sーinto MY room!"

Gintoki's head appeared again around the door. "Can I come in?"

"What's the use of asking when you're already inside!"

"So I can?"

"N...no!"

"Eh?" Gintoki scratched his head and reached out to grab the blushing man's hand. "Come on, don't be shy. Come warm up with Gin-san."

"D...don't touch me!" Hijikata jumped away from Gintoki's touch and glowered at him. "It... It feels disgusting."

"I thought you like it when I touch you～"

"Shut up!" Hijikata shoved him inside and stumbled after him into the room, closed the door, and sat awkwardly beside Gintoki at the table.

It's been three months since Hijikata started to date Gintoki, and he still couldn't get used to the fact that he was dating another man, and not just any manーthe damned Yorozuya, the former Shiroyasha who participated in Joui activities, had a foul personality and yet somehow managed to charm Hijikata with his aloofness, permed silver hair and dead fish eyes. He would never have imagined even getting along with someone like Gintoki without spitting vulgarities and insults at each other every second, much less date him, but all those times when he argued with Gintoki over the smallest, nonsensical little petty issues, he could feel a strange connection between them, binding them together.

It all happened one day when they were arguing about the wonders of parfaits and mayonnaise. Gintoki had stood up, leaned over the table, and pressed his lips against Hijikata's. "Why don't you go out with me?" He had asked, the trademark arrogant smirk plastered on his face.

Hijikata, stunned, had tossed his mayonnaise topped dango in Gintoki's face and answered, "why not," before he could stop himself; before he even knew what was happening, or realized what he had just agreed to.

Over the next few months, the connection developed into a love-hate relationship, forming a strong bond between them, mostly through the half hearted efforts of Gintoki, because Hijikata could only focus on denying the growing attraction he felt for the charismatic samurai.

Gintoki had been looking at Hijikata while he played memory after memory in his head. "Oi, Hijikata-kun..." he leaned in closer to the vice commander and Hijikata could feel the strawberry scented breath caressing his cheek. "What are you thinking about?"

"That's none of your business," Hijikata muttered lighting another cigarette and scooting away.

"Oh?" Gintoki grinned, his hand creeping towards Hijikata's thigh. "I bet you were thinking about that time we *beep* and I *beep* your *beep* so hard you *beep*ー"

"D...don't touch me! Stop saying that!"

Mostly he exasperated Hijikata, but he kind of liked it, so he wasn't going to complain.

A/N: Haha how was it? I intend to make every chapter center around a feeling or emotion Gin makes Hiji feel. I'm open to feedback, so please REVIEW okay? I sort of have the next few chapters planned out by giving muself title stimuluses, and the next chapter os probably going to be "Protected". Thanks! (X review review review!