Gorou is beyond tired, weighed down by the sort of bone-weary exhaustion that doesn't so easily dissipate.
With the end of the Vision Hunt Decree, and the opening of Inazuma's borders, he can finally relax a little, but even then it feels odd. Gorou has had to keep on his toes for so long that he doesn't know how to rid the restlessness in his bones.
He whines softly, brushing his fingers over the limp fur of his tail, dulled from stress. He rubs at the circles underneath his eyes, digging his fingers into the skin as though he can just massage them away. He cannot.
Even Kokomi has said something. "Gorou, there is no need to be on such high alert. Rest yourself, yes?"
"Easier said than done," murmurs Gorou, his nose twitching at the thought.
"Heeeeeeeeeey," calls someone, loud and clear.
Gorou's tail twitches in his hand and he cocks his head to the side. "Itto," he says, turning to greet him with a soft smile.
Itto looks him up and down, face wrinkling with concern. "Okay, I get it now. Little Miss Shrine Maiden rarely calls in favors."
Gorou blanches. "Wait, she—"
"She was right to be concerned. Look at you." Well, that's just rude. Gorou is about to say just that when Itto shakes his head, thumbing at his chin as he thinks. "That's it, then. Time to call in the big guns."
"Big guns?" Oh, that sounds like the absolute worst idea, knowing Itto's propensity to be more than over the top.
"Operation Bring-O Gorou back to his Primo Self-O, you catch my drift?"
Gorou appreciates the gesture but he's too tired to deal with Itto's wily shenanigans, as fond as he is of the man. "Itto, I'm thankful, but—"
"No can-do, my little doggie dude. I'm you're numero uno, you know, which is why the Little Miss called me here. You won't listen to her but maybe you'll listen to me. And, because I care for 'ya, I'm not letting it slide."
Gorou rubs his nose, feeling the itch of stress coming on. But, at the same time, he smiles behind his palm. It's hard to overlook Itto's earnest efforts and the joy that he seems to get from helping others.
"Alright," he finally says, giving Itto a fond look.
"Right-O! So what's first? Some good 'ole beetle battling? It's been a while since I've taken the old hog for a spin."
Gorou snorts softly at that. Beetle battling is more Itto's forte but he finds himself agreeing nonetheless.
#
Operation Bring-O Gorou back to his Primo Self-O looks a lot like Itto taking Gorou on a date.
It isn't the worst way to raise his spirits. He and Itto have gone on dates before, simple things that fit Itto's often simple-minded temperament.
Gorou is quieter than Itto in the way that he carries himself. Softer-handed in his hobbies and the way that he acts in public, he tends to fade a little into the background—unless he finds himself on the battlefield, of course. Itto, on the other hand, is loud and brash, and though big-hearted, an annoyance at times.
These are also the things that Gorou finds winsome, his heart fluttering as he watches Itto rummage about. Itto is unapologetically himself, something that Gorou finds a hard balance to maintain when it comes to himself. Combined with his drive to do right by others…
The Arataki Gang is a gang in name only—they are mostly do-gooders, despite the image that they try to spread about.
They spend the day doing things that mostly Itto enjoys, despite the plan intending to cheer up Gorou instead.
Beetle Battles by the beach, which Gorou lets Itto win. He wasn't trying, really, not the Itto noticed. Truthfully, it was nice to just sit back and watch, laughing at the animated way that Itto cheered his beetle fighter on.
They dodged the keen eyes of Kujou Sara, ducking behind an old shed. They weren't doing anything, so they couldn't have been arrested, even on a warrant of suspicion. But even Gorou doesn't want to be around the woman more than he has to be, and he was perfectly fine playing a game of keeping out of her sight.
"Your tail," says Itto suddenly, while they share tea in Ritou, watching the ocean waves crash against the port docks.
"Hm?" asks Gorou, turning to him.
"It's… I mean, your hair too. It seems…" Itto's brow creases as he thumbs at his chin, the gears whirring slowly in his brain. "You're usually very… shiny? Uh, well-composed. Put together? Not to like, to compare you to a dog—wait, can I do that? I mean, you are a dog… kind of."
"Itto." Goroug laughs softly. "Take a breath."
"I just mean that your… coat? Do you consider it a coat? Usually it's like.. Shiny and soft, right? Like, I can pet through your hair, just how you like—" Gorous's cheeks turn pink at that. "—and it's all soft and silky. But I've noticed that…" Itto gestures vaguely at his tail where it sits across his lap.
Gorou didn't even realize he'd been holding onto it, pulling at the stringy tufts idly. His fur lacks its usual luster and softness, and there are balding patches from where he's tugged a little too hard. "Oh," he murmurs, "I—it's the stress. I know that things have calmed down, but it's left over from before then."
Itto falls uncharacteristically quiet. "I know things got a little rough for everyone, but you shouldn't forget to take care of yourself. I might say I'm your numero uno, but it's really yourself."
Gorou sighs softly. "And what about you? All that big bluster about the Gang and trying to act tough. All you do is wind up helping others. Ever thought about taking some time for you? Doing what you want to do?"
"I am," says Itto, looking admittedly confused. He rubs at a horn, nervously. "Look, I was just worried about you. I know we've been busy with rebuilding and stuff. Haven't had much time to spend together, etcetera."
"And I am thankful for that, truly. I've missed you."
Itto gives him a grin so dopey that Gorou can't help but laugh.
#
Later that night, they find themselves back on Watatsumi Island.
They sit on the beach, the ocean tide lapping at their bare toes, their knees knocking together as they laugh and share soft words.
In Itto's lap sits Gorou's tail, lax as he drags a boar bristle brush through it. "Next time, just tell me that you need some tender loving, or something."
"Itto." Gorou rubs at his face, trying to hide that way that he blushes. His tail twitches though, and Itto laughs, pulling the brush through his dull fur with care.
It is nice, this tender moment. Gorou digs his toes into the sand, wriggling them, enjoying the way that Itto handles his tail. And then his hair is next, Itto's fingers combing through it, scratching at the base of his ears with a gentleness that belies his large exterior.
"Mhm," sighs Gorou when everything is said and done, relaxation filling him and the bone-weariness slipping away.
"Do you feel better? More relaxed? Would you say polished, even?" Itto laughs at his own joke before Gorou can.
When Itto holds his hand out, Gorou slips his fingers against his, squeezing gently, pressing his fingers against those calloused palms. Itto smiles back in that idiotic, goofy way of his, an instant balm across Gorou's heart.
Gorou does, in fact, feel better, having found a little respite after a long day. First time in what seems like months. It's funny, how little it seemed to take. Just a day out with, arguably, the world's largest idiot.