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Tomioka Giyuu took a deep breath as he walked, and as he exhaled he looked around himself at the surrounding forest. Him and Rengoku had been assigned a mission to slay a demon yet again. They often were paired together, due to the fact they worked well with one another and often came out unharmed.
Tomioka listened to Rengoku’s advice when he would tell him to fall back or when they should strike, and the same went for the Flame Hashira, and it isn’t like none of the other pillars listened as well, the two just seemed to work together so smoothly, if someone were to see them fight from an outside perspective they would most likely call it graceful or like the two were dancing with the way the move around one another to attack their foes.
Which made it ironic how different their personalities really were.
Rengoku was loud and talkative, offering praise constantly and voicing his opinions on any and all matters, he was bright and cheerful and would light up a room like a torch in a dark hallway. He radiated warmth and comfort to even the furthest of strangers. It was hard to find someone who disliked him.
Tomioka was quiet and reserved. He wouldn’t speak often unless spoken to, and only then when he felt it necessary. People’s first impressions of the man were usually along the lines of him being considered a loner, like he was sorrowful for some reason. Most often people didn’t try to talk to him, they saw him as boring and bland, like he was a cloud covering the sun as soon as he showed his face in a scene, and the atmosphere would grow tense.
The Water Pillar knew this about himself, he was more aware of it than anyone.
Rengoku in time noticed this too, and would always try to include him in whatever he was doing when the two were able to spend time together. Whether it was having a quiet lunch and having a one sided conversation, or reminding the other of meetings for the demon slayer corps that the others neglected to tell him about. A majority of the time being Shinobu.
The Insect Hashira would only joke with him, although Tomioka often got hurt by these jokes and nitpicks made by her, and Rengoku was very close to telling her off at this point.
The Water Pillar snapped back to reality, continuing to hear Rengoku in a one sided conversation talking enthusiastically about a topic he didn’t care to hear about.
He watched the scenery of the forest, tall trees everywhere, blocking out most of the sky except for a few stray beams of light of the late afternoon sun shining down between the branches. It glowed a soft yellow hue, and gently illuminated all it touched.
“Are you alright, Tomioka?” Rengoku’s voice was somewhat concerned.
“Yes. I am fine.” He replied, tone steady and emotionless.
Rengoku hesitated before responding. “Alright then, we should find the demon quite soon I believe!” he smiled, loud energetic tone returning once more.
Said demon they had been told lived in these forests, there was a decently large town about a mile away, and people would often come to the forest or travel through. From their resources, which were really slim, they knew it was humanoid and had snake-like traits.
Very few townsfolk made it out alive, only two had managed to escape from the demon when the sun came out and was strong enough to show through the thick leaves of the forest, and it had to hide in a cave. But one of them was left blinded by the attack, and never recovered their sight.
Tomioka heard a noise and quickly got into a fighting stance, flashing a glance at Rengoku, he did the same.
Leaves rustled around them as they slowly circled, watching one another's backs as they waited for the demon's attack. It was incredibly agile, and knowing the risks of this mission they discussed beforehand to be extra cautious.
Suddenly it struck and tried to claw them, it had dagger like fingernails and veiny skin with a camouflage like pattern across it, large sharp fangs with dripping purple poison, and piercing green eyes that looked hungry.
The two dodged and began to battle.
It would constantly duck behind trees and use everything in its surroundings to shield itself from view after striking, which made it quite difficult for the two to attack it, so they had to wait until it came out of hiding to strike.
It attacked Tomioka and he quickly tried to stab it, but it dodged to the side yet again before Rengoku got the chance to even try to help. “Stay close to me, it can’t catch us both off guard!” he advised and ran to the Water Pillar’s side.
“Are you sssssure about that..?” a voice echoed from the distance. “So you can speak…” Rengoku chuckled.
“And you sssssure are annoying, but I bet you would make an exssssscellent meal…” it laughed back just before striking yet again, right in front of Rengoku, it slashed him and tore a piece of his haori and Rengoku cut his arm, causing him to bleed as he retreated.
“You won’t eat me that easily I'm afraid.”
“Hmmm, perhapssssss not…” it chuckled.
It attacked again, much quicker this time, the arm wound healed completely already, it didn’t dodge back into the shadows right after, and instead stayed and ran around the two trying to cut them and get them away from one another.
The two Hashira were playing on the defensive, knowing how badly this demon had hurt others before. It lunged at Rengoku once more, and the Hashira finally got the angle he needed to stab him, but it missed his neck barely, and he leapt into the foliage of the forest once more.
“Come out here you coward.” Rengoku glared at his surroundings.
“Oh? Is sssssomeone getting angry?”
Tomioka shifted his feet, “Don’t let him bait you.” He whispered.
“Awwh, isn't that sweet? Maybe I have been going for the wrong one…” it hissed.
“Don’t you even try to touch him.” Rengoku spat in a defensive tone. He was growing quite tired of playing safe and this constant battle of hide and go seek.
Right as Rengoku finished his sentence it leapt out again, out at Tomioka this time, and he blocked him with his sword and Rengoku left his spot guarding the others back to leap forward in attempts to help.
Swords and sharp claws clashed as the demon grinned, long tongue carelessly laying out the side of its mouth as its fangs continued to drip purple liquid.
It glanced at Rengoku and an unreadable expression overcame its face, it smirked once more before jumping into the shadows.
Tomioka turned to Rengoku, “The hell was that?”
“I was trying to help you-“
“No, stop that, I would have been fine! You can’t be so careless.” He glared.
“Tomioka I’m sorry I was just-“ Rengoku started, but then was caught off guard by the other yelling
“MOVE!”
Suddenly Rengoku was pushed back onto the ground several feet away where he landed with a harsh thud as the wind got knocked out of him
Tomioka was on the ground, gasping for breath as the demon pinned him down and let the poison from his fangs drip down onto the other's face, he closed his eyes shut tightly, trying to break free with what little mobility he had.
Rengoku was up faster than he could think, tackling the demon off him and taking it by surprise. He hears Tomioka scream behind him, and Rengoku’s eyes light up with fire and fury as he beheads the demon with little struggle. It shrivels away, throwing curses at the Flame Hashira as it dies.
He stands up and searches for Tomioka, finding him a few feet away crouched in on himself with his hands clutching at his eyes as he hyperventilates, shaking immensely.
Rengoku runs and slides to his knees in front of him. “Tomioka! Are you alright?!”
The other tries to look up and uncover his eyes, but gives a sharp yell of pain and gasps. “Fuck!”
Rengoku is seriously worried now, Tomioka never swears.
“Please let me see, I have to know how bad it is.” He pleads, holding his wrists as the Water Pillar keeps his eyes covered by his hands.
“Giyuu…” He pleads once more.
The hands are removed, and Tomioka looks up at him and slowly opens his eyes.
His eyes are unfocused on him, and a constant stream of tears roll down his cheeks and off his face. “Rengoku... I can’t see you. Are you here?”
Rengoku’s eyes widen in shock. Oh no.
“I-I can’t see you. I can’t see anything-“ his breathing picked up again, he was scared.
“It’s gonna be okay, don’t worry, I’m right here-“ he placed a hand on the side of his face and the other on one of his hands that sat in his lap. Tomioka was shaking again and he was crying more freely.
“It hurts…” he whispers.
Rengoku feels his heart break at those two words. He never admitted when he was in pain.
Another shout of pain comes from Tomioka and he closes his eyes shut again and falls forward. Rengoku catches him and holds him closely as the other cries and shakes, afraid and hurt.
“We need to get you back to headquarters, Shinobu can help you.” Rengoku says, trying to keep calmness in his voice when inside he is freaking out almost as much as the other.
Tomioka doesn’t respond; he still holds onto Rengoku and trembles.
Rengoku stands up and brings the other with him, helping him to his feet as he holds onto his sides to keep him upright. Tomioka stumbles forward into him yet again, “I can’t see, Rengoku I can’t-“ he begins to panic
“It’s going to be alright, let's get you home.”
He takes off his Haori and drapes it over him and Tomioka clutches to the fiery fabric and pulls it over his head, covering his eyes.
Rengoku picks him up in his arms gently, the other leans closer into the protective hold, continuing to tremble and cry in pain.
“I’m taking us home now, okay? Hold on until we get there, you are going to be okay.”
Rengoku ran back to headquarters as fast as he could without jostling Tomioka too much, he wished he had been more careful back then, if he was then Tomioka would have not gotten hurt he thinks.
This is all my fault.
His adrenaline was through the roof. He kept running and running, hoping- no. Begging in his mind that everything would be alright, and that his mistake wouldn’t be what made Tomioka lose his sight for good.
During the fight it was sunset, and now it’s dark out by the time they make it to the butterfly estate.
Rengoku bursts through the doors and Shinobu is by them in an instant, directing him to the medical ward. “We’re here, okay? Shinobu is going to help you.” He reassures.
His response is a shaky nod against his chest.
“Place him on this bed.” Shinobu orders as she points at a vacant bed. She turns around to her cabinets and starts sorting through the different remedies and elixirs she has. Other Hashira have gathered out by the doorway and were trying to enter and see what was happening.
“Get out, all of you. I need to treat him immediately.” Her tone was stern and left no room for back talk, and as everyone leaves the room Rengoku hesitates, looking down at Tomioka who was still clutching his haori over his head.
But he is soon ushered out by Shinobu and into the hallway where a few of the Hashira, and the butterfly girls were.
Shinobu closes the door and goes over to Tomioka, she pulls the haori down off his head and lets it sit in his lap.
“Let me see your eyes.”
He slowly looks up and opens them. They’ve become more cloudy since earlier, they’re once bright sapphire blue color now dulled slightly, she sees how unfocused they are and the off color.
A curse is heard under Shinobu’s breath.
“Rengoku, get in here, I need you!” He instantly opens the door and is by her side.
“What caused this?”
“Venom from a snake demon.” He answers quickly.
“What did it look like?”
“It was a deep purple, and it came from its fangs.”
“Fuck- okay, that was a really strong toxin.” She runs a hand through her hair and turns to her cabinet again, pushing things aside frantically.
She runs to her bookshelf and pulls out a dark green book with a golden band on it. She opens it and flips through the pages quickly and pauses at one of them, she glances at it and curses again.
“What is that?”
“All my information on poisons.”
“…And what does it say?”
She closes the book and tosses it aside, running back to her cabinets.
“It says that what he got hit with was one hell of a venom…” she pushes more bottles aside, reaching for the very back of the cabinet.
“And..?”
She grabs a small bottle from the back of the cabinet. “And we have one antidote, but it isn’t going to be fun.” She turns to him, holding the small bottle up. It was made of dark blue glass, and had a tear dropper style lid.
She walks over to Tomioka who had since closed his eyes and was trying to steady his breathing.
“I need you to listen to me. If we don’t act soon you will lose your vision for good.”
He nods in understanding
“But it will be a long painful process to bring it back, and there is a small chance it will not work… the pain from that venom should naturally leave in a few days if you are lucky. That is if you wish to stay sightless. I have only one type of cure for this specific poison, it will be extremely painful, and it can sometimes take weeks even to start showing results.”
She looks at the small bottle in her hand, and back at Tomioka.
“Do you want to use it, or stay blind?”
A long beat of silence takes place, no one speaks.
“I’ll do it.” He breathes out. “I’ll use the medicine.”
“We need to start treatment right away then. It is taken as one drop in each eye twice a day.” She starts to unscrew the lid and take liquid into the dropper. She sees him tense up, and glances to the side to see Rengoku’s worried expression.
“Do you want to administer this to him?” He nods quickly.
“Sit down with him. It can be known to cause some… Thrashing.”
He nods again, nervous to see what exactly it would do to him, and sits down next to the other, grabbing the dropper of liquid he turns Tomioka around and holds him close. “Alright, I need you to open your eyes…”
He does as told and Rengoku hates to see how much cloudier they have gotten.
“I’m going to do this quickly, okay? Hold onto me if you are in pain.”
He hovers the dropper over his eyes and quickly puts one drop in each and hands it back to Shinobu who quickly caps it and puts the bottle on the counter.
Instantly after Tomioka screams, loud and horrifyingly as he thrashes around in pain. Rengoku never thought he would hear a sound he hated more than this.
“Oh gods it hurts-“ he clutched into him sobbing, Rengoku put his arms around the smaller, keeping him down as Tomioka fisted his shirt with both hands tightly as he trembled and wailed.
“Make it stop please-“ he begged.
“I can’t. I’m so sorry…”
Rengoku had never felt more helpless. He wanted to help, he wanted to magically take his pain away, he wanted to transfer said pain onto himself if it meant Tomioka wouldn’t sob and scream.
But he couldn’t.
After a few minutes his cries lessened, and his hold on Rengoku did too. He passed out.
Rengoku opened his mouth to say something but Shinobu cut him off. “That is normal. Especially for the first dose.”
“You did well helping him through that. Thank you. I don’t know if I could have been able to hold him down.”
Rengoku got off the bed, a sorrowful expression as he looked down at Tomioka.
“He is going to be rather helpless for a few weeks. This is also an extremely tricky poison, and very few have been able to overcome its effects, he will be very tired, and his immune system will be compromised due to all his extra energy going towards fighting this... And he will need someone to look after him.”
She stepped closer to him, a small frown on her features.
“Things such as eating, walking around, basic needs. Most aren’t able to do these things while blind unless they were born so and are used to it, but in Tomioka’s case it will be a lot for him at once-“
“I’ll do it.” Rengoku says. “I’ll take care of him.”
“I didn’t even get to ask yet” she smiled softly as she looked at him.
“I knew I would be there for him the moment I failed to protect him…”
Shinobu frowned, “Rengoku. You know injuries happen, it wasn’t your fault-“
“The demon was headed for me. He pushed me aside. If I hadn’t gotten distracted he..” His sentence trails off as he looks away.
Her eyes widened, but she stayed silent.
“I-I’m sorry, I really shouldn’t dwell on trying to punish myself when I need to be focusing on Tomioka” he attempted to smile but the sadness in his eyes gave it away.
“He is going to be sleeping for a while now, you should rest. I will have someone wake you in the morning when you need to treat Tomioka again. Okay?”
“Okay… Thank you Shinobu, for everything-“
“Yes yes I know, go get some rest okay?” She pats his back and ushers towards the door.
He pauses and looks back to see Tomioka snuggled into his haori.
“He will be fine. Go rest.” She reassures once more.
“Alright then…” he nods and leaves without another word.
--------
That night Rengoku struggles to sleep on his futon.
Hundreds of little thoughts are swarming through his head, and they are all about Tomioka.
I should have tried harder to protect him. It’s my fault he is like this, my fault he could lose his sight forever… He runs a hand through his messy hair, noticing how tangled it got during the fight. He tugs out his hair tie and lets the last bits of his fluffy golden and red tipped hair tumble down on his shoulders.
He sits upright and grabs a simple hairbrush and starts to comb through it, starting at the ends and working his way up.
I wonder if Tomioka’s is also tangled… It must be.
He makes a mental note to bring the brush with him when he visits Tomioka next.
He continues to brush through his hair slowly, gaze downcast as he is still stuck in his thoughts.
Please may this antidote work… I hate seeing him in pain, how long will treatment take… Will every dose hurt him as much as that first one did? I don’t know if I’m mentally strong enough to hold him down like that many more times…
He continues to sit and brush his hair for several more minutes, and even when the brush slides through easily he keeps going, continuing the repetitive motion despite its job being done.
And eventually he lies back down.
With a deep sigh he closes his eyes, tiredness finally catching up to him. “Please get well Tomioka…” he whispers to no one but himself as he falls asleep.
————
The next morning Rengoku happily walks into the medical ward to greet a recently awoken Tomioka. “Good morning Tomioka!” He smiles, walking over and sitting in a chair by his bed.
“Oh, good morning Rengoku.” He replies quietly, sitting up in his bed looking down at his lap, eyes closed.
“Did you sleep alright?” he asks, walking toward him.
“Surprisingly, yes, that medicine made me rather tired… I suppose you are here to make me take it again?” He replies with a somewhat sad tone, obviously he didn’t want to go through that pain and embarrassment again.
“I am, but I am sure we could at least get you some breakfast beforehand. You have not eaten anything yet, right?”
A faint rumble is heard from the Water Pillars stomach. “…No”
Rengoku smiles softly and resists the urge to chuckle at the sheepish and objectively cute reply.
“What would you like to eat?”
“…Rice”
“Just…Rice?”
“I’m not very hungry.”
“Alright then… I will go get that for you, I shall return soon.” He smiles and leaves the room to go to the kitchen and retrieve his breakfast.
After getting some rice for him and Tomioka, as well as some water, he returns a few short minutes later and places the tray of food on the table by his bed. “Okay, I’ve got some rice and water here for you, do you mind if I join you for breakfast?”
“Um, go ahead.” He replies hesitantly.
He hands him his bowl of rice with a pair of chopsticks resting on the top of the bowl, and just now realizes he might not be able to eat it with such utensils. I should have thought of that before!
“I’m sorry, I don’t know if you can use chopsticks right now, do you want me to go get you a spoon or-“
“No- this is fine, it shouldn’t be any different than before.” He says, trying his best to not be embarrassed for the fact he probably can’t eat rice by himself in the state he is in.
Rengoku wanted to step in and ask him to abandon his pride this once and let him get a spoon, or something easier to eat, but he really didn’t want to risk upsetting him on the very first day he was to take care of him.
Tomioka raised the bowl to his mouth and began to eat some of the rice, although rather messily, a few bits fell onto the blanket, and some got stuck to the sides of his mouth or cheeks. Rengoku tried not to watch him the whole time and focus on his own food, but it was hard when he was worried for him.
A moment later Tomioka asks for some water, and Rengoku hands it over, and after he drinks most of it he places it back on the table for him. A few more minutes pass and they have both eaten, and although the meal wasn’t particularly big, Rengoku is still happy Tomioka ate most of it.
“Thank you for the food, Rengoku.”
“Not a problem at all, it was- ah, you have some…” he gestures to his face and then mentally face palms. Of course he wouldn’t be able to tell where the rice was on his face, he couldn’t see. Nice one Kyojuro…
Tomioka blushes in embarrassment realizing what he was saying, reaching a hand to wipe at his face and getting the majority of the rice crumbs.
“You missed a spot.” Rengoku smiles softly, leaning forward and raising his hand to gently wipe away the stray rice crumbs on his cheek.
“I- ah, th-thank you.” Tomioka stutters.
Now you’ve made him embarrassed! Rengoku scolds himself
“Sorry.” He apologies, and quickly looks for an excuse to change topic. “I’ll change your sheets for you.” Tomioka would try to argue, but there were quite a lot of crumbs in the bed now, and he didn’t want to be sleeping in them later.
He takes the blankets and sheets off, helping adjust Tomioka as needed, and puts on clean ones from a cabinet in the corner of the room that had extra pillows and comfort items. Rengoku notices his Haori was in the blankets and not on the ground. Ah, he must have kept it by him last night.
He smiles softly, holding the fabric in his hands.
After making sure Tomioka is comfortable again, it is time for the medication. He had tried to put it off for as long as possible, but he had to give it to him so he could get better. There was no way around it.
“Alright, it’s time for your eye drops…” he frowned as he spoke, finding the small blue bottle Shinobu had left out for him last night.
“I suppose it is…” Tomioka’s voice grew quieter, and Rengoku didn’t miss the hint of fear in it.
“It will be over soon, okay?” He says as he sits down on the bed with him holding the dropper full of liquid, he shimmies closer and when he sits a hand on Tomioka’s shoulder to let him know he is there the other flinches ever so slightly at the contact.
“Could you open your eyes please?”
He does as instructed, and his eyes look the same as yesterday, cloudy and dull. He missed the bright blue eyes he was used to gazing at.
Tomioka is already trembling by the time Rengoku holds the dropper over his eyes. “Okay, on the count of three, yeah?” He gives a small nod.
“One… Two… Three.”
He drops the liquid into his eyes and then as fast as he can he puts the dropper onto the table and then grabs onto Tomioka and pulls him into a tight hug, letting the other bury his face into his chest as he lets out a scream like the one last night.
He cries violently, his eyes were burning, at least it felt like they were. He shakes and clutches onto Rengoku for dear life, for comfort, for anything and everything in this moment. He feels vulnerable, he is vulnerable. And he hates it.
“Please- make it stop!” He sobs “Fuck, I- “ he heaves heavy breaths and lets out another sharp yell.
“You did so well, I’m sorry, I know it hurts.” Rengoku holds him closer and lets him cry, he puts a hand on the back of his head and pets it reassuringly.
Tomioka seems to calm down slightly at the praise and touch.
“You did so well. I’m proud of you. I know this isn’t easy, but you are gonna get through this, I know you will.”
Tomioka only sniffles in response, his cries dying down.
“You are so strong, Tomioka.”
Minutes pass of this, comforting words and holding the other close as he calms him down best he can, but he must be doing something right because it is working. He isn’t tense anymore, and has slumped against him, all cried out and exhausted.
“Are you alright now?”
His response is a sleepy “Mmhm…”
“You should get some rest.”
His response this time is a “Nnhn…”
“Please? You seem rather tired.”
The other burrows closer to Rengoku in response, letting out a small tired sigh of relief at the close feeling. His heart swells and he smiles wide, but knows he must let him sleep.
“I will be back later, okay?” He prys the sleepy Hashira off of him and stands up, hearing a small grunt of disapproval from him which makes him chuckle.
“Get some sleep, Tomioka.” He brushes back a strand of his messy hair out of his face, and Tomioka leans into the touch ever so slightly as he drifts off to sleep. Ah, I forgot to ask about brushing his hair… I will when I come back, he needs to rest.
Rengoku glances around the room and sees the dirty sheets and his haori, and decides it's time to do some laundry.
————
When he returns a little over an hour later with cleaned sheets to be put away, and his haori, he finds that Tomioka is still fast asleep, his face calm and restful. He smiles and goes to put away the sheets, quietly opening the cabinet and stacking them with the other blankets.
He walks by Tomioka’s bed and remembers how the other cuddled into his haori before, and after a brief moment of thought, he gently takes the warm fabric and lays it across him. Tomioka hums in his sleep and snuggles closer to the fabric, gently grabbing it with his hands and nuzzling it close to his face.
He lets out a content sigh when he gets it just how he likes it, and it is the cutest sight in the world to Rengoku, he has to resist the urge to not coo at how adorable the other was being right now cuddled in his haori.
It's not like he needed it right then anyways, so the other could hang onto it for now.
He decides to check in later and let the Hashira sleep longer, and as he steps out of the medical ward he turns the light off and quietly closes the door, smiling softly.
————
He comes back a few hours later with some simple vegetable soup for him, hoping he would be awake by now as he slid open the door.
He was, and sat up in bed as he stared blankly at the wall.
“Hello?” He asks, hearing the door.
“It’s Rengoku, I’m back. And I have some soup for you.” He smiles. He figured this would be a little easier to eat, and besides, who doesn’t like some warm soup when they don’t feel well?
Well, maybe that was for more so stereotypical sickness, coughing and runny nose type stuff. But Rengoku always loved soup when he wasn’t feeling well, no matter if it were illness or injury.
“Ah… Thank you, but I’m not very hungry.” He frowns and looks downward.
Shinobu had warned me of this, obviously he isn’t going to want to eat right now, but if he doesn’t he won’t have energy to get better.
“Please? Aoi-Chan just made it for everyone. And if you don’t eat you won’t get better.” He reasons.
Tomioka turns his head to the side, hearing Rengoku step closer. Now he is just acting childish…
“Tomioka. You need to eat this.” He sighs. “Or at least try too…”
“I hate this…” he whispers, looking down again.
Rengoku sits the soup on the bedside table and sits down on the edge of his bed, Tomioka’s hands were tightly clasped together and his gaze was still in his lap, eyes open ever so slightly.
“I don’t wish to be taken care of. This is humiliating.”
Oh. I wasn’t expecting this so soon into his recovery. He is already feeling this upset?
“I know you don’t. But I assure you I am not here to judge you, nor do I find your current state weak. No one does, you were brave in that fight, and no matter how much you dislike being taken care of, it has to happen.”
He puts one of his hands over Tomioka’s and continues.
“Everyone gets taken care of sometimes, it is just how life is. I have been bedridden many times before, and trust me, most everyone hates it…” he sighs, trying to glance at his face.
Tomioka speaks up. “I cannot do anything for myself anymore. I have barely left bed since I got here… “ he frowns. “And eating just feels like a chore…” he whispers
Rengoku gets an idea. “Tell you what, Tomioka. If you continue to eat the meals I bring you, I will assist you in walking around the estate, we can go anywhere you want. And I will tell you stories or whatever else you wish to hear. How does that sound?”
He ponders for a moment, and a hum is heard before he looks up. His eyes show uncertainty, but also a spark of joy in them, despite their currently clouded state.
“Okay then…”
Rengoku smiles widely and resists the urge fist pump and shout in victory. He was already planning on talking with Tomioka about walking around and getting him out of that cooped up medical ward, and was going to tell him stories and talk to him regardless, but he needed the other to feel as though he was earning it. He feared that if he spoke freely and said he wanted to help him with all those things just because, that Tomioka would feel as though he was being pitied.
He knew him rather well, despite the other not talking nearly as often as the other Hashira. Rengoku was rather good at reading body language, and could be quite the quiet observer when he wanted to be. Often picking up on little details others would say, or actions they would do.
And despite the hurdles he had to jump to get to know the man, he is glad every day he has, and continues to spend time with him.
Because to others they see bland and basic. But he sees what they don’t. Shy and kept to himself. It’s not that there wasn’t more to Tomioka, it was just that no one else tried hard enough to see it.
“Wonderful!” Rengoku smiled, picking the soup back up off the table, and slowly and carefully handing it to Tomioka. He stands up to sit in the chair situated by the bed, but is stopped when a quiet voice speaks up. “Umm, you can sit on the bed if you want. I don’t mind.”
He smiles wider, sitting back down with his own bowl of soup at the foot of Tomioka’s bed.
They ate in comfortable silence, the late autumn air flowing through the open window, causing a pleasant cold breeze. It would be winter soon, and Rengoku was quite excited for the weather, as he always hoped it would snow.
Tomioka loves snow… He remembers. On a mission about a year back they were talking with some elderly folk in town, and one of them was talking about how much she loved wintertime, and asked the two of them their thoughts about the season. Tomioka’s eyes had shined the tiniest bit brighter that moment.
Him and the nice old lady proceeded to talk about winter for a few minutes, the lady mentioned how much her grandchildren loved the snow, and would always hope it would snow so they could play it and sled. Tomioka had agreed with her, saying “Snow is very nice… It is quite calming to me, it makes me feel at home somehow.”
Rengoku didn’t know if that was due to his breathing technique being water, or maybe he grew up somewhere with a lot of snow. But either way, he absolutely loved sitting quietly and watching the elderly lady and him talk so openly and happily about the subject.
And realizing how late in the season it was getting, Rengoku vowed that his vision would be restored by winter, when it would hopefully snow. He wanted to see Tomioka’s face if it did. He wanted Tomioka to see the snow for himself yet again, and many many times after this.
After they are done eating, Rengoku poses the idea of brushing his hair. Mentioning how it must be tangled after not being cared for recently.
“Oh.. I forgot about that.” He blushes lightly, reaching a hand up to the side of his head to feel his dark hair. It was not nearly as bad at the front, but towards the back where he had his ponytail in, it was getting matted by the hair tie, and would only continue to get more so if not tended to.
“Then let me help! I’ve learned a thing of two about hair care from Mitsuri.” He helps Tomioka scoot to the side of the bed as he stands behind him, preparing to brush his hair.
“You have?”
Rengoku nods, “Mmhm”, he takes out the hair tie, sitting it on the table. “A few months back after a mission my hair became quite the mess.” He starts to brush the bottom strands of hair as he works his way up when the strands come through the brush smoothly.
“And Mitsuri saw my hair when I got back, and told me she just had to help. And boy am I glad she did.” He reaches the knotted area of his hair, and works more gently there, brushing slower and being careful not to tug it painfully.
“She taught me some better techniques for brushing, and even how to braid! She is quite good at that, I mean, she does have the longest hair out of all of us.” He chuckles.
The knots are gone in his hair, and it lays across his back neatly. “Although, I must say, your hair is almost as long as hers now!” He smiles, running a hand though the now detangled locks. Tomioka, who had been listening intently to his story, leans back into the touch ever so slightly.
“I guess so. I have not cut it in a while.”
“Do you wish to?”
He ponders for a moment. “No. I think I like it long.”
“Then you shall keep it long!” Rengoku smiles. “You should consider wearing it down more often, it looks good on you, very elegant.”
Tomioka can feel himself blush at this, and is happy Rengoku is not facing him right now to see it. “Thank you.”
“Not a problem at all, Tomioka!”
“Not just for the hair… For what you said earlier. About me not being weak and everything else…”
Rengoku pauses, then smiles softly. “Of course. I meant every word of it.”
A small smile tugs at the edges of Tomioka’s lips.
“Now then, is there anything you want to do?” Rengoku asks.
Tomioka yawns, and then apologizes. “I guess my energy isn’t quite back to standard…”
“It has only been a day, and there is nothing wrong with taking time to rest.”
“Hmm, alright then… I think I will sleep.” He starts to lay back down into bed, getting comfortable and adjusting the blankets.
“I will be back tonight to give you your second dose of medicine, okay?” Rengoku says.
“Mmhm… Tell Aoi-Chan thank you for the soup…” he mumbles before closing his eyes, presumably falling asleep.
Rengoku smiles and starts to walk out of the room, closing the door behind him as he leaves. And when he is halfway down the hall he realizes he left their dishes on the table.
He walks back as quickly, and as quietly as he can, opens the door and walks in, making barely any noise as to not wake Tomioka. But when he walks in he sees the other still shuffling under the blankets.
He stands still and observes quietly, watching as he pulls out a familiar piece of fabric, his haori.
The same haori he left with him this morning. Why was it hidden under the blankets? Did he not want me to see it..?
Tomioka smiles, holding the fabric close and cuddling it like he did before, he inhales the fabric lightly, and exhales. Looking seemingly calmer after having found it. He bundles it around himself like he did before, and Rengoku is sure he fell asleep this time. His breathing evens out, and instantly he looks more relaxed and calm.
Rengoku smiles widely. Glad his haori is a sense of comfort for the Hashira.
But hopes that in the future, he won’t feel embarrassed to wish to hang onto it longer. It made him sad to see that it was hidden until he left. Did he think I would take it after leaving it with him? Or that I would be upset..?
Either way, he was happy and asleep now, and that was what mattered.
Although Rengoku hates to think what would happen if he had a mission during this time, having to leave Tomioka in the care of someone else.
He shakes his head. I’m sure that won’t happen.
He grabs the dishes after tiptoeing over to his bed, and leaves the room once again, closing the door as gently as he can, and letting out a sigh of relief when he is safely in the hallway.
And as he walks to the kitchen he smiles, the warm fuzzy feeling in his chest having gotten just a little stronger, and knowing everything was sure to be okay.
————
The days drag on similarly as the rest, and bit by bit Tomioka became more open with Rengoku and his dosages became slightly less painful by the day as he slowly became better.
Rengoku held true to his promise and would tell Tomioka stories of things that would happen to the Hashira’s as of recent, or Tanjiro and his friends, which Tomioka would always smile softly hearing about.
But when he would make requests, he would ask about Rengoku’s stories of things that had happened to him before, which happily surprised the flame Hashira. But most of their story sessions would just become conversations as they droned on about whatever topic was mentioned, and sometimes after joking around Tomioka would laugh.
Not particularly loud, not very long, but he’d laugh.
And it was music to Rengoku’s ears.
He was feeling happier.
He was almost never happy enough to laugh in the whole time Rengoku had known him, Rengoku hoped when his sight was restored and things returned to normal he would be able to hear the Water Pillar’s laugh many more times.
They’d also walk around the estate and go outside occasionally, although he couldn’t see, he still loved hearing all the noises and the fresh air, although they wouldn’t stay out long for early winter was setting in and Rengoku worried he might catch a cold.
It was now nearly two whole weeks since his treatment started now.
And Rengoku had just entered the medical ward with some salmon daikon for him, hearing the door slide open he hears a cheerful and expatant “Rengoku?” That he had grown to get used to every time he entered. He smiled.
“Mmhm!” He hummed happily.
“What have you brought this time?” He asks softly
“Salmon with daikon”
“Really?” Tomioka’s voice sounds hopeful.
“Of course! Daikon is in season now, so I thought I’d make it for you.” Rengoku knew it was his favorite.
Tomioka smiles softly as he hears his footsteps approach and the familiar dip in the bed as Rengoku sits beside him.
“Thank you.”
Rengoku hands him his bowl along with some chopsticks, Tomioka never wanted to use other cutlery, and slowly became better at using the chopsticks with minimal mess, although sometimes he became careless and didn’t care when food got on his face, and Rengoku would always clean it off for him.
They ate from their bowls, exchanging pleasant conversation between bites as Rengoku kept Tomioka updated on any of the latest news amongst the demon slayers.
“Young Kamado and his friends defeated quite the powerful demon the other day, I must say they are becoming better and better quite quickly!” Rengoku chuckled, proud of the kids.
“I had no doubts they would be. I am glad they have been doing well. They are all uninjured, yes?”
Rengoku smiles softly at his caring nature. “Yes, a few bruises and cuts, but they are all fine, and resting at a Butterfly Mansion about a days travel from here. They might visit soon.”
“That would be nice” Tomioka smiles as he eats a piece of salmon.
Once they are done eating, Rengoku helps him stand up and they go on a walk, as they did just about every other day.
Rengoku draped his Haori over the others shoulders, an unspoken agreement they had. He would leave his Haori in his possession during his recovery, after the day he saw him hide it away, he wanted to let the other hold onto it for a while, he realized it was a source of comfort for the other, and as long as he didn’t need it he saw no problems with letting the other use it.
Besides, it kept him warm as it got colder outside.
Tomioka would hold onto the sleeve of his uniform in case he lost balance trying to walk around the hallways, but on days he tripped or stumbled Rengoku would insist on holding his hand, which Tomioka was strangely hesitant of.
Today was one of those days where he stumbled.
They walked out into the gardens and sat on a bench, the air was very cold and the trees had no more leaves, but it was still very beautiful.
Rengoku wished Tomioka could see it.
The trees bark in different shades of brown with ice settled around the branches and roof of the building from the times it had rained and frozen over, the darkened blue sky with grey clouds drifting carelessly as the sun hid away. It was breathtaking.
Rengoku looked at Tomioka’s face as he inhaled the fresh air, exhaling as he looked more relaxed.
Breathtaking. Rengoku smiled, as he felt the warmth from his hand that was still clasped in his, the other not noticing as he relaxed into his surroundings.
“The air is much clearer out here than inside…” he hummed.
“It is.” Rengoku agreed, rubbing his thumb across the others hand gently.
“Has it snowed yet?”
“Like I said yesterday when you asked,” he chuckled. “I will tell you when it does, I promise.” He gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.
Tomioka noticed the movement this time, and quickly took his hand back. Embarrassed, as his face tinted pink slightly. “Sorry.”
“It’s alright, you’re cold right? Come here.” He smiled, wrapping his arm around his shoulders and gently nudging the other to lean into his side as the fiery haori draped over his shoulder swayed with the movement.
They stayed like this for quite a while, Rengoku had lost track of time until he saw the sun setting and realized they had been out all afternoon. Tomioka was fast asleep against his side, hands tucked under the fabric of Rengoku’s haori he was wearing as he inhaled and exhaled softly and slowly, completely relaxed.
He slowly got up and picked up the other, taking him with him back to the medical ward, not having the heart to wake him.
I’ll have to wake him up soon enough for his nightly dose of the medicine… But just not yet.
His eyes were visibly so much less blurry than the day he got injured.
Day by day Rengoku would see not only more of the vibrant blue hue he loved, but more emotion in those eyes.
Shinobu said at this stage it would be any day now until he could see things in blurry shapes. Which didn’t sound like a lot, but Rengoku was so excited for it, almost more than Tomioka was.
She had said once his vision makes the big step to reappearing, the process would become much quicker, and it would be restored within that week if everything went to plan.
So now they were simply waiting it out until that happened.
His strength was still weakened and his immune system was still compromised, thus the no going out without the extra layers, and not staying out too long. (Besides this one time Rengoku decided)
Tomioka still took naps, and got drowsy after his medication, although it wasn’t bad enough that he would pass out anymore, or would yell and thrash, If anything there would be some mostly silent tears.
It was much less painful, he was getting better, he felt better.
He was happy. He had gotten used to Rengoku taking care of him, he had never judged him for being in such a weakened state, nor forget about him. He would visit every day and entertain him and keep him company.
It became what he would look forward to, and almost every time the door to the medical ward opened it was who he was hoping, Rengoku.
He trusted him. He let himself be vulnerable and be taken care of.
Something he hadn’t really trusted anyone with before. It felt nice.
Rengoku slid the door open with his elbow, and sat Tomioka in bed, getting an extra blanket and laying it over him after tucking him under the sheets that were already there. He needed to warm up more.
Tomioka hummed in his sleep, content and comfortable.
Rengoku brushed back a stray hair and let his hand rest at the side of the sleeping Hashira’s face for a moment.
He learned down and gently kissed his forehead before leaving the room as he whispered “Sleep well”
———
A few more days passed since then, and Tomioka’s energy has been steadily getting better, which Shinobu was a very good sign, and it would be any day now his vision would be back, albeit blurry until it fully recovers.
It was late at night, and Tomioka had already had his last medicine dosage for the day earlier, he sat up in bed talking with Rengoku like he did most nights before going to sleep.
The two of them had held comfortable conversation for nearly an hour, quietly talking back and forth about anything and everything, the winter season, Tomioka getting better and how excited the two of them were, and in general having a nice quiet evening. Those were Tomioka’s favorites, he smiled softly.
He never knew how quiet and peaceful the Flame Pillar could get until he got to know him better during his healing the past weeks, he had always thought he was loud all the time, but he had no idea how gentle he could be.
It surprised him, in a good way.
“You should probably be getting some sleep now. I won’t keep you up any longer” Rengoku chuckled, standing up from where he sat at the foot of Tomioka’s bed.
He frowned and looked down, hoping he didn’t see his expression. “Alright..”
“I will be back in the morning, I always am.” He smiled, giving him a reassuring touch on the shoulder. He helped Tomioka lay down and adjusted his haori around him
“You can take it back you know…” Tomioka spoke quietly, somewhat self conscious.
“I’ll only need it if I have a mission, but luckily I haven’t for the past few weeks, so there is nothing wrong with you holding onto it for me.” He grinned.
Tomioka hummed as he got comfortable in his bed.
“Get some rest, alright?” He stroked a hand over the other's head as the other nodded off to sleep. “Rest well, Giyuu.”
He nudged closer in his half asleep state, mumbling “G’Night… Kyojuro…”
Rengoku smiled, adoration in his eyes as his cheeks tinted slightly pink by the comment.
He had successfully gotten to know the other, he trusted him, and Rengoku made him happy.
And he was over the moon.
He left the room and closed the door quietly, feeling happier than he had in a very long time.
——
“Rengoku you need to go! Now!”
Tomioka started to wake into consciousness as he heard a voice yell from the hallway. Is that Shinobu?
“I know! Just hold on-“
“That demon is going insane out there- Uzui is fighting for his life and the townsfolk!”
“I said I know !!” And suddenly the door burst open and he heard loud footsteps walking toward his bed.
He tried to open his eyes but he still couldn’t see.
“I’m so sorry to wake you, I need to go, and I don’t know when I will be back-“ Rengoku said as he crouched down next to his bed. He felt a hand grasp his and hold it tightly.
He heard smaller footsteps quickly entering, That must be Shinobu.
“Rengoku you need to-“
“I know! Let me say goodbye-“
“You have thirty seconds.” She scolded, stepping outside of the room and slamming the door.
“Wh-what's happening?”
“The mission Uzui has been away on has gone haywire, we underestimated the demon and it’s attacking him and the town he was sent to protect.” His tone sounded seriously critical, he was stressed.
“His crow just came to us calling for urgent backup, Iguro, Tokito, Shinazugawa, and most everyone else but Shinobu are out on missions right now, and they are too far away to go aid him. They need me.”
“Fuck- I’m sorry. Shinobu will take care of you while I’m gone.” He squeezed Tomioka’s hand harder, his hands were shaking. Both of theirs were.
“I-… You need this right?” He took the haori off his shoulders and quickly extended it to him.
“No- you can keep it-“
“But you’re going out on a mission just take it, I’ll be fine-“
A third voice cut in from the hallway “You need to go now!”
Reluctantly Rengoku grabs his haori and throws it over himself. Tomioka’s eyes started watering.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He promised, pulling him into a tight hug.
Tomioka couldn't say anything, he didn’t trust himself to speak without crying. He nodded against his chest and held on tightly.
Rengoku pulled back and looked him in his eyes, they were almost back to their original sapphire blue that he loved to gaze at.
Pushing his bangs back he quickly kisses his forehead, stands up, and runs out of the room, hearing Shinobu yell instructions at him as their loud footsteps become distant noises as they run further and further away from the medical ward.
Did he just…
He touches a hand to his forehead, and then lets it rest on the side of his face.
“Kyojuro…” the tears start to fall down one by one, and then its a constant stream, unable to be stopped.
———
Three days passed since that night.
Three days and no word from Rengoku, not a crow, letter, or him coming back home.
Three days of constant worry.
Shinobu administered his medicine, he was so far along now it was a painful sting, and nowhere near as bad as when he first took it, when the pain was so bad he would scream in agony.
He didn’t like it, he didn’t like her taking care of him. She would give him his medicine, his meals, there would be some awkward small talk. It's not like she talked to him often before of her own free will, so why should she now?
Mitsuri came back from her mission yesterday, and she had visited Tomioka, she knew how Rengoku had been taking care of him, and had heard of what happened to him from the times she visited the Butterfly Estate.
It was somewhat pleasant, Tomioka wasn’t in much of a talking mood, but he still listened to her, he liked listening to her more than Shinobu anyways. She was rather fond of scolding him, and now that he had been blinded for the past weeks, she didn’t really do that anymore, so things between them were just awkward.
Mitsuri gushed about a lovely couple she met on her mission and how in love they were, talking about how sweet the two were, that they held hands, reassured each other when the other was nervous, and seemed very comfortable around one another.
Tomioka hummed at that. He wanted to try and pay more attention to her words, but he kept thinking about Rengoku.
He was hardly eating anything, he had been eating his meals with Rengoku just about every day, he would always talk with him and encourage him to eat more. He missed that.
He missed Rengoku’s kindness. He missed everything about him, because nothing of his was here. He wasn't, his haori wasn’t, his voice he loved to hear wasn’t.
He wasn’t here.
For all he knew he could be bleeding out somewhere miles away.
And he couldn’t do anything but wait.
It was late at night, he was all alone. And he cried. Like he had done for the past three nights.
It didn’t make him feel better, but it made him feel something. That something being sadness and worry, but at least it was something.
He wasn’t feeling much of anything else since Rengoku had left.
He made him smile and laugh, engage in conversations, ask questions and be playful. He made him feel so many things that he hadn’t felt in such a long time. But now he was gone and suddenly it felt like he couldn’t feel anything but sadness. Is this normal?
Why… Why am I so devastated? This was bound to happen. He can’t always be with me. Besides… He looked towards the window, hearing the noises of crickets and the swaying of trees, it was pitch black outside.
What am I gonna do when I get better and he leaves for good?
He opens his eyes, feeling fresh tears roll out of them. And everything is blurry.
Blurry?
He rubs his eyes, wiping away the tears.
I can… see?
It was horribly hard to tell what everything was, but he could make out the white sheets on the bed, and the hand he waved in front of his face. His eyes felt sore, maybe it was the medicine, or maybe it was the crying. He assumed it was a mix of both.
But he could see again.
The last thing he saw weeks ago was Rengoku.
And he wanted it to be the first thing he saw when he got better.
He wasn’t though. He didn’t feel happy that he was getting better, he wanted Rengoku. He felt childish. But all he wanted was to be held and comforted by him, he wanted the familiar presence he had grown used to over the past nearly three weeks, he wanted to feel safe and happy again.
Not to be alone and terrified, not knowing when or if he were to come back.
He layed back down and closed his eyes. Hoping for a dreamless sleep, and that when he woke up, there would be gold and red eyes staring down at him…
——
The next morning when he woke, his vision was even clearer. He could see to the window that was a few feet from his bed, and when he held his hand to his face it was hardly blurry at all.
Shinobu came to check up on him not much later, and she applauded the good news that his sight had returned just like she thought it would.
“I’m very happy for you Tomioka, the road to full recovery should only be a few days away, then you can proceed with your normal training again and work on regaining the muscle you lost.”
“Mmhm.”
“Aren’t you hap-“
“Yes.” He replied, cutting her off. His tone was cold and his gaze was in his lap again.
“Is there any word from Rengoku or Uzui yet?” He asked.
“No. I’m afraid not.” She said. “But I’m sure they will be back any day now, you know how strong those two are.”
He didn’t respond. So she continued.
“I know you are worried about Rengoku. Everyone can tell.”
“So? He is my friend, of course I am worried.” He scoffed.
“Friend? Bold words for you Tomioka… I thought you didn’t think of any of the slayers as your friends.” She teased.
“I do think of them as my friends. Even though I know I am disliked among them.”
“… You know they’re tough on you because they care right? Even with me.” Shinobu replied honestly, hoping to make him feel better.
“Well it doesn’t feel like it most days.” He snapped back. A beat of silence crossed between the two. Shinobu looked guilty.
“I didn’t know that…”
“Well you clearly don’t know what it feels like to be avoided, to be mocked, and to have awful things said behind your back! Because that’s how I feel every day of my life, Shinobu!” He yelled.
“And the only one who fucking cared about me could be dead right now! The only one of the demon slayers who bothered to try and get to know me, the only one who stuck by my side even when I ignored him!!”
“The one person who I-“
He froze, eyes widening in realization.
Shinobu looked slightly hurt at his outburst, but mostly concerned for him. She never meant to hurt him so much.
“The one person who you..?” She asked.
He threw the blanket off of himself and left the room on shaky legs.
“Tomioka you need to walk! Come back!!” She called out from the doorway.
He didn’t listen, he just kept going.
He tripped several times as he ran down the hallways, he finally made it to his destination, the garden.
He heaved large breaths and fell onto his knees as he heard the crunch of snow.
Wait- snow?
He opened his eyes and looked around him. It was snowing.
His hands and legs got cold as he touched the snow, a few inches of it layering on the ground, and more falling steadily. When had it started snowing?
It should have been a comfort to him, it should have made him feel better. He loved snow, it made him feel at home during some of the toughest times of his life.
But it didn’t make him feel at home.
What made him feel at home was Rengoku.
Because he was in love with him.
He stayed sitting on the ground for several minutes, snow gathering around him and on him as he sat, getting more and more cold. His breathing stayed labored as he tried his best to remain calm, heart beating in his ears and eyes wide.
Shinobu stepped outside holding a blanket and walked up to him.
“Tomioka, please come inside.”
He hardly registered her voice.
She crouches down and helps stand him up, and lays the blanket over him. “C’mon, Mitsuri is waiting inside for us and is worried. She can help with whatever you are feeling.” She spoke softly.
He let himself be guided.
He was sat back in bed and he pulled the blanket further around him, it was red. It reminded him of Rengoku’s haori.
Someone had handed him a cup of tea, he didn’t pay attention to who it was, but he mumbled “Thank you.” Nonetheless.
When he finally stopped panicking and took in his surroundings, Mitsuri was sitting on the edge of his bed, and Shinobu was pretending to look busy as she moved some items on one of her shelves.
“So… It seems you are having some strong feelings.” She started, smiling softly.
“What did Shinobu tell you?” He asked
“Nothing at all Tomioka. I can tell simply by your expression. I’ve seen how you’ve acted differently as of late.”
His eyes widened for a moment and he blushed lightly.
“Ah, so it is true.” She took a sip of her own cup of tea, glancing at him with a smirk.
“I d-don’t know what you mean.” He looked away.
“Tell me, do you love Rengoku?”
“I-“ he stuttered, looking around the room frantically, anywhere but to meet her eyes. “I… do.” He confessed, gaze downwards.
She smiled widely and clasped her hands together. “Yay!”
“I don’t feel well though…”
She tilts her head slightly “And why is that?”
Shinobu chimes in “Maybe because he has barely eaten the past few days.” She scolds lightly.
“Well, that isn’t good, I know you are upset but you still must eat.”
“I know I- I just… Sometimes I don’t want to, and… Rengoku had been helping me. And now that he’s gone I just have this weird feeling and it won’t leave, and now maybe I’m realizing it was there the whole time…”
“Hmm. Tomioka, are you worried he doesn’t return your feelings?”
“Yes.” He sighs, taking another sip of his tea.
“Well… I would say I’m no expert… But I am. So trust me when I say he loves you back.”
He spits the tea out, coughing repeatedly. Mitsuri hands him a towel.
“How can you be so sur-“
“Oh hush, I’ve heard the way Rengoku talks about you when he and I have our get togethers. You are the only thing he talks about nowadays.” She sips her tea again.
“And the way his eyes light up when he talks about how he can make you laugh or smile… It's adorable really.”
Shinobu glances at the window, and then quickly leaves the room without a word, the two watch her leave, confusedly and then resume their conversation.
“I know you won’t believe me, but just ask him, and maybe his own words will convince you.” She pats his back reassuringly with her usual kind smile.
Shinobu walks back into the room a moment later with a grin on her face.
“What’s that look for?” Tomioka rolls his eyes.
“Nothing… We just have some visitors, wanna come see?” She smirks.
Tomioka’s eyes widened. “It’s not-“
“It is. Go look at the front gates.” She steps out of the way just in time for him to throw the blanket off, sit down his now empty cup, and sprint down the hallway as he hears Mitsuri cheer and squeal in the distance.
He runs as fast as he can with how fatigued he feels, his legs feel weak, and his eyes feel weaker, but it’s just well enough to power through and keep going.
He passes every corner and only runs into a few walls, and sprints out the door to see Uzui with a sling on his arm, covered in bruises and cuts, but mostly unharmed…
And Rengoku.
Alive and well.
Breathing and standing.
And looking right back at him with wide eyes.
“Kyojuro!!” He yells, sprinting at him.
“What the fu- you can see?!” He yells back, and has about two seconds to brace himself before he is met with an armful of Tomioka Giyuu being flung right at him as they both fall into the snowy ground.
Uzui rolls his eyes. “Hey why don’t I get greeted like that?”
Mitsuri and Shinobu caught up to them and the pink haired girl gives him a silent “cut that shit out you are ruining the moment” glare.
Uzui steps aside after that and leaves the two to have their moment.
Tomioka holds him close and buries his face into the crook of his neck, trying and failing to keep the tears in.
“I’m sorry I took so long.” Rengoku whispers, pulling him closer with one arm around his waist and the other on the back of his head. “I came back as quickly as I could.”
“I know…” he mumbles.
“Let’s get inside, yeah?”
Tomioka quickly gets off of him, looking away in embarrassment that he actually flung himself at the other in a hug like that, especially in front of Uzui.
The group walk inside and all head to the medical ward, Uzui had minor injuries and a broken arm, and Rengoku was just beaten up, bruises, cuts, but nothing serious luckily.
After Uzui gets checked for his arm, Mitsuri, Shinobu, and himself leave to let Rengoku and Tomioka talk.
The door slides closed and Rengoku sits at the foot of his bed like always.
“You can see again. I’m so glad.” He smiles.
“Yeah… It came back yesterday.”
“Just in time for the snow huh?”
“Yes. Just in time.” He smiles softly.
He goes quiet after that, and looks away. Rengoku thinks he looks somewhat embarrassed, and something else?
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Why would you need to be sorry?”
“Because you spent so much time taking care of me… And then I just hugged you out of nowhere and you must be upset-“
Rengoku’s eyebrows furrow with concern. “Hey hey woah- I enjoy spending time with you, It’s the highlight of my days, what makes you think I’d be upset?”
“Because I… I got attached to you, and when you left I just wanted you back here and to be with me, even though I really shouldn’t because you had just spent so many hours of your days with me and…”
“I’m selfish for wanting that, and I’m-“ his eyes started to water. No, not now Giyuu!
Rengoku takes his hands and clasps them together with his, turning to face him completely. “Hey, deep breaths okay?”
He nods in response, letting the tears fall. “You must’ve just felt obligated to take care of me right? And you probably regret it all now huh?” He smiles weakly.
“You stop that right now.” He reprimands.
Tomioka hiccups and continues to cry.
“It’s okay to cry, but this self doubt I won’t tolerate, okay?”
He nods in response yet again.
“I took care of you because I wanted to, not because I felt obligated to. I love spending my hours with you, and I don’t mind that you hugged me so you don’t need to go all shy on me now.” He gave him a reassuring smile.
“There is nothing I’d rather do than be with you Giyuu. I’ve loved our conversations, learning more about you, getting to see the real you. And I’d never regret that. Not even for a second.”
“But… What if.. I-“ he takes a deep breath and meets his eyes.
“What if I said I fell in love with you?”
Rengoku’s expression is unreadable, and suddenly he is moving closer, and a warm hand is placed on the side of his face. “Kyo-“
And Rengoku kissed him.
It was warm and passionate, and it felt like all of Tomioka’s anxieties melted away, he felt reassured and comforted, and a million different things in that moment, but the only thing he could focus on out of them all was Rengoku.
A moment later he pulled back, and then looked Tomioka in the eyes, his cheeks flushed pink.
“I’d say that I love you too. Because I do, Giyuu. I love you.” He rubs his thumb across his face, and wipes away the stray tears lingering.
“I love you so so much, and nothing is going to change that. No matter how many times you think you are a bother, no matter how many times you think you are selfish for wanting to spend more time with me, because if that makes you selfish…” he chuckles,
“Then I must be the most selfish person in the world, because you, Tomioka Giyuu… I want to spend every moment with you. And I never stopped thinking about you while I was away.”
“So please, don’t speak about yourself that way. Because when you say those things about yourself, you are speaking about the person I love most in this whole world.”
He was speechless.
In all of his life he had never been more speechless than now.
“Giyuu?”
His face was a pink blushing mess, and his mouth hung open slightly, trying to find words to say back to him.
“I-… You… “ he blinks repeatedly, trying to process everything.
“I’m sorry, was that too much?” Rengoku looks nervous, retracting his hand.
“No. Oh my god no.” Tomioka shakes his head at Rengoku’s worriedness.
“It was perfect, you are perfect. I love you Kyojuro.” He gazes into his eyes again.
Their eyes meet, Rengoku sees that his once cloudy sapphire eyes were finally clear again, crystal clear. And he could see just how much emotion was in them in that moment, how much love was in them, a shine that wasn’t there before.
Rengoku puts his hand back on Tomioka’s face and leans in again. “Can I..?” He asks, to which the other quickly replies “Please.”
The two kiss again, passionate and feverish. Neither of them wanted this moment to end, it was pure bliss.
They pull back moments later, Rengoku rests his forehead on Tomioka’s and the two stay close.
“Thank you…” Tomioka whispers. “For being there for me.”
He smiles and pulls the other closer, hugging him. “I always will.”
-END-
EDIT(2/15/2022) I forgot to add this art I made a while back too, enjoy!
Cover Art
