Chapter Text
The battle is coming to an end. Kokushibou cannot move. Or at least that’s what they think. Tokito watches the demons eyes poison with anger, he breathes, ready to scream. The boy doesn’t know what’s going to happen, but it can’t be good. Everything happens in less than a second. Muichiro shouts
“MOVE!”
Then Kokushibo screams and a thousand of cutting moons fly across the building, slicing everything... and everyone. If it wasn’t for Tokito’s warning, Genya would be severely injured, more than he is now. He knows it. He lost an arm and a leg. He can’t move or hold his weapon anymore. His spilled blood is all over around him. This can’t be the end.
“They’re still there” Genya thinks while he’s watching Himejima, his brother and even Tokito attacking the Upper moon, despite their injuries. He’s starting to feel dizzy, his head is hurting, it must be because of the blood loss, he’s not totally a demon after all. But he can’t give up now. He must protect everyone. “My flesh bullets are still inside his body. He’s so focused on their attacks... he’s forgotten about me...”
“Blood demon... art” he whispers.
From inside Kokushibou’s body, emerge giant branches that root him into the ground. Sanemi and Himejima know this is their chance.
That’s the last thing Genya can see before his vision becomes blurry and then there’s only darkness.
****
He wakes up on the Butterfly Estate. It is a surprise when he sees his two legs and his two arms. He’s complete. What? How? His head hurts and his memory is coming back to him way too slowly. He’s alone in this room. That’s when he remembers. The battle.
He stands up in a sudden and rushes outside his room. Where’s is everyone?! What happened? He doesn’t want to think that everyone is dead, but trying to push that thought outside his mind is difficult. His ears are pounding. He’s too focused thinking about the worst scenarios that he nearly stumbles against a familiar figure.
“You’re awake” He says with his usual monotone voice tone.
“T-Tomioka-san” Genya mumbles “What- what happened?”
His blue eyes darken. He takes some seconds before answering.
“We won, but the cost was... too much.”
Giyuu flinches as if he wanted to say something else but he can’t find the words. Genya feels his legs weaken. It’s becoming harder to breathe. He’s terrified.
“N-Nemi? T-Tanji-“
“Look” Giyuu interrupts “I’m probably not the best one to explain but you can ask anyone else in here. Tanjirou hasn’t waken up yet but he’s in that room with the others” he points at one of the doors “and... I can tell Shinazugawa that you’re awake.”
Genya nods while he’s still processing all the information. For the first time since his awakening he realizes his surroundings. He feels his body, it still aches a bit. His voice sounds as if he hadn’t used it in ages. Everything it’s dark because the sun hasn’t raised yet.
Automatically he enters Tanjirou’s room. The image infront of him is oddly endearing. Tanjirou is surrounded by his friends and his sister. Zenitsu and Inosuke are sleeping in awfully uncomfortable positions that make them able to lay on the same bed. Genya wishes that the boy with the hanafuda earrings had a peaceful smile on his face... but he doesn’t. His expression is cold, as if his soul was outside his body. There’s no trail of his bright smile that made Genya feel at ease so many times before... right in the worst times. Fear is starting to choke him. That’s when he sees Tanjirou breathe, then he remembers there’s still hope.
He could go back to his own bedroom, but he doesn’t want to. Maybe he’s finally understanding why Zenitsu, Inosuke and Nezuko are all piled in the same bed as Tanjirou. Genya sits on a corner of the bedroom, and starts dozing as he waits for the sunrise.
It’s Inosuke who wakes him up by poking furiously on his cheek.
“Hey, Tenya!” He shouts as the scarred boy jumps back in surprise, smashing his own head against the wall in the process.
“Ah! What do you want, Inosuke?” He yells rubbing his head.
“What are you doing here?! Did you want to attack the Great Inosuke by surprise?!”
“Inosuke, don’t be that harsh...” says a melodic voice that Genya isn’t too sure to recognize, ah, that must be...
“Nezuko” Genya mumbles while the girl comes closer and helps him to stand up... or well at least she tries.
“Ah-“ Genya blushes “sorry, I didn’t mean to break in your bedroom but-“
“No, it’s fine” she answers “We’re glad to know that you’re awake.”
“But you could’ve asked before coming to sleep with us, you know?” Intervenes Zenitsu “That’s weird.”
Genya nods. “I’m sorry”
“Don’t be” Says Nezuko “I’m sure you’re just waiting for nii-chan to wake up, like us, so feel welcome. The only problem is that there isn’t enough space in his bed anymore” and then she laughs. Genya’s chest clenches as he notices the resemblance between the Kamado sibling’s smiles.
“Hey-“ Genya hesitates before continuing “I need to know what happened... after I lost consciousness.”
For a moment it feels like the night suddenly came back. Everybody hold their breaths. Nezuko, Zenitsu and Inosuke share a look. Nezuko tells him to come closer. And then they start telling the story.
*****
Giyuu had been visiting Sanemi around twice since the very last Hashira’s reunion and he’s already feeling that he’s being too insistent. Maybe Shinazugawa doesn’t want to see him... after all that smile they shared in that last meeting could’ve only meant something superficial, not that he actually wanted to come closer to him and put an end to that senseless rivalry they used to held, right?
It could be so easy to just walk away... but this isn’t the right time, he has important news. Besides he promised himself that he would at least try... it isn’t that hard talking to someone, right? So Giyuu grips his haori to prevent trembling and walks inside Sanemi’s home.
Sanemi has been staring at an open window when he hears Giyuu come in. He knows it’s him because he’s the only one that visits this place. All his other friends –Is he implying that Tomioka is his friend? No way– are nothing more than corpses laying underneath a chunk of soil. Noticing the Water Hashira’s presence doesn’t make him any happy. What does that idiot thinks he’s doing entering his home as if it was nothing? They’re barely more than fellow hashiras, maybe even less than that now that everything is over.
But Sanemi doesn’t have enough energy to punch him or even shout at him like he would in an other time... in an other time when he didn’t feel a void in his chest. Another time when his body had enough energy and strength to create tornados with his movements. Another time when there were possibilities... even if those were surrounded by uncertainty, fear and rage.
“Good morning, Shinazugawa.” Says Tomioka.
Sanemi fears that if he answers, Tomioka will notice in his voice that everything in him is broken. He needs to find that anger that prevent him from falling apart in his past, that anger that eclipsed all his sorrow... but it seems that it’s gone.
“Shinazugawa,” Tomioka tries again “Genya is awake.”
Ah, there’s some anger. He clenches his fists, trying not to cry at the mention of his younger brother. When he passed out, Sanemi lost all his barriers that him took years to build in order to protect his own heart. He screamed and cried. The fear of loosing his brother, everything he ever wanted to protect, was immense.
And now Genya is fine. What now?
It is hard to accept that he, Shinazugawa Sanemi, is a piece of crap.
“Did you listen?”
“YES, TOMIOKA, I LISTENED!” He yells.
“Oh,” his voice sounds as bored as usual “are you going to see him?”
Sanemi finally finds enough courage to face him.
“Why do you need to know?”
“You aren’t, right?”
How-?! Was he that easy to read?!
“Mind your own business, Tomioka” He says with a sharp tongue.
Giyuu frowns.
“I think you should, he’s your brother after all.”
Sanemi gasps and suddenly his eyes are filled with rage.
“Don’t tell me what to do! Just- Fuck off!”
Giyuu waits for a shove that never comes. Sanemi has just turned back to stare at his window. Well... it could’ve been worst, Giyuu thinks. He lets out a sigh and heads back to the Butterfly Estate.
****
Genya waits for a pair of ruby eyes to open all day, and then all night. He waits for the fluttering sensation of warmth and hope in his chest at the sight of the most beautiful smile he’s ever seen, he waits for one whole day, and then two, and then a week, and then more. He’d be lying to himself if he says that he’s still hopeful, that he has no doubts that Tanjirou will come back to them. He has never been the hopeful one, the one that has faith, all he believed was in himself... and himself was never enough. But this? Genya can’t do anything about this. All he can do is waiting.
“You were the hopeful one.” Genya whispers to Tanjirou in one afternoon when they’re alone.
He reaches his hand, the one that looks withered, and rubs it gently. He wonders if Tanjirou would let him to do that if he was awake. The warmth beneath his skin is light, but it’s enough to make him remember that he’s still in there.
“If I could swap places with you, I would.”
A whole month is gone in the blink of an eye. Every new day Genya thinks about everyone that lost their lives in that infernal battle... he wonders... why not him? Every day he thinks about Tanjirou. And he thinks about his brother.
Tomioka told him that Sanemi was informed of his condition. And still... he hasn’t seen a glimpse of him. So... was it true then? That his brother hates him that much? He could go ask him himself if he was braver, but he isn’t.
It is on a sunny morning that he hears the unbelievable. He’s returning from collecting firewood when he sees everyone in the Butterfly Estate going mad. Everybody rushing everywhere. Everybody talking out loud, laughing and crying. Where does all this people come from? He has no idea, but he’s sure that they weren’t in there before he left.
“What’s happening?” He asks to Aoi as soon as he meets her.
“Haven’t you heard? Tanjirou is awake.”
Genya’s heart skips a beat.
The bedroom is crowded as it has never been before. Genya is nervous, but not because of the people. It’s hard for him to enter. Some faces are familiar, some others aren’t. Apparently the news spread quite quickly. This only proves one point: Kamado Tanjirou touched and changed many lives in his journey.
Genya hears his voice before meeting again those perfect ruby eyes that he dearly pictures in his chest as a reminder of hope and happiness.
“Genya?” Says a familiar voice “Genya!” He exclaims with that cheerful tone of his when he finally confirms that the tall scarred boy is no other than his friend.
Genya petrifies when his eyes meet Tanjirou. There’s a knot in his throat, preventing him to talk or even breathe. His eyes water and his first thought is that he must look pathetic... but... does it matter? His knees decide that it doesn’t and they make him run into Tanjirou’s open arms before letting him fall into the embrace. For a few seconds it seems like there’s no one in the room but them.
He wipes his tears quickly when they break apart.
“Idiot, you scared me.” Is the only thing he can manage to say before distancing himself a bit to let the others talk to him as well.
“I’m glad you’re fine, Genya” says the redhead with a bright smile.
No one seems to have payed attention to the tall boy and his dramatic scene with Tanjirou, at least not in particular... except for the owner of an odd grin that looks at him with his two knowing golden orbs.
“What?” Genya’s eyes squint.
Zenitsu jumps and looks away.
“Nothing” he mumbles as he focus back on his recently awaken friend. Apparently neither he, Nezuko or Inosuke plan to move away from Tanjirou any time soon.
Genya frowns and walks to one corner before anyone can notice his blush.
Eventually everyone decide that it’s better for Tanjirou to continue resting and after saying goodbye they leave. Even if Genya doesn’t want to leave he has no other option. Nezuko, Zenitsu, Inosuke and Genya are the last ones remaining.
“Why does Gonpachiro has to rest?! He has been asleep for weeks!” complains Inosuke while they’re all heading towards the open door “I want him to fight me!”
“No, you stupid boar!” Replies Zenitsu “He’s not recovered yet! He has to take everything with calm, don’t you get it?!”
“Don’t worry, Inosuke,” reassures Nezuko “I’m sure nii-chan will be perfect sooner that you expect.”
“But I want him to be fine now!” Roars the boar.
Genya takes the door handle, ready to separate Tanjirou from all the shrieks when the wounded boy interrupts him.
“Genya...” he whispers while beckoning to him “close the door.”
He swallows as he does what he’s told. Why is he suddenly nervous? He reaches the bed and sits next to Tanjirou. Those soft cheeks are vivid again, painted with a light reddish hue. His only eye is looking hopefully at him, the other one is hiding behind a patch. The strong built body Tanjirou used to have is now slightly thinner... consequences of his long slumber. The smaller boy reaches his hand and pulls him into a soft hug. Genya wants to throw away his own heart so Tanjirou won’t hear it.
“Genya, can I ask you a favor?”
They doesn’t let go each other.
“Are you bribing me?”
He lets out a loud laugh before quickly covering his mouth with his hand, suddenly remembering he’s supposed to be asleep.
“No, of course not, Genya” he smiles “I just wanted to hug you, that’s all... hugging you is nice” he looks away “Anyway, I just wanted to ask you if you would like to help me to walk for a bit, I really want to move my legs... please?”
Genya’s eyes open wide at Tanjirou’s question.
“But- but you’re still weak, Tanjirou...”
“I know! That’s why I’m asking you to help me, I know you wouldn’t let me fall.”
Genya’s body fills with warmth. He feels his cheeks itching and his heart flutter. He holds on to the idea that he’s special... that he’s special to Tanjirou. There could be a million other reasons that doesn’t necessarily imply that he means something special to the ruby eyed boy and that explain perfectly why he’s asking him to grant his wish. Zenitsu is shorter than him to be able to carry him around. Inosuke wouldn’t treat him nicely and would probably drop him at the slightest distraction. And Nezuko wouldn’t say yes to his whim, she knows what’s best for him after all. Even Kanao wouldn’t be available since she’s still recovering from her own wounds too. But Genya decides to push all those ideas away, and indulge into the thought that he’s special... even if it’s a lie, even if he later finds out that he isn’t, he’ll let himself be happy just this once. He decides that this is a good day.
“Ugh, fine, lets go.”
Tanjirou giggles.
“Thank you, Genya.”
A few moments later, two boys are wriggling out the Butterfly Estate, trying their best to avoid everyone at a terribly slow pace because of a pair of legs that seem to have forgotten how to walk. Genya is practically carrying all Tanjirou’s weight, but it doesn’t matter because he’s happy... and also because having Tanjirou’s body so close isn’t that bad at all.
****
Giyuu has been staring at the Butterfly Estate for a while now. He’s aware that he’s making this a big deal when the reality is that it isn’t. Of course he wanted to visit his friend as soon as he received the news that Tanjirou was awake. He should be surprised but the reality is that he didn’t expect this much people coming to visit him. He tries to rub his haori with his right hand only to find out that it isn’t there and he has forgotten about it again. He sighs for the million time.
He should just try to come in without thinking. Just rush in in an impulse. But he just ends up overthinking how would that “without thinking impulse” be. His body stiffens. He’s trying so hard to not get mad at himself when he hears someone approaching him.
“Hey, Tomioka” says Shinazugawa with a not so joyful tone “What are you doing here?”
The former Wind Hashira isn’t so fond of him and Giyuu has always known that. But ever since the battle against Muzan ended there is a certain respect between them that wasn’t there before. He tried to develop that respect into something more, but being social isn’t his thing. A whole month has passed since the last time Giyuu visited Sanemi.
“I’m here to visit Tanjirou.”
“Ah, so is he awake? Now I get why everyone is in here... that damn brat.”
Giyuu also wonders why is Sanemi here, but he doesn’t ask. Sanemi grunts.
“I couldn’t have chosen a better day to see Genya.” He blurts.
“I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you.” To be honest, Giyuu is glad to know that Sanemi finally decided to meet his brother.
“Shut up, Tomioka. I’m going home.” He deadpans.
Before Sanemi can go further, his arm is grabbed by a hand. When he meets Tomioka’s expression it is filled with worry.
“Why? It took you a whole month and now you’re leaving?”
“It’s none of you business!” He shouts “Let go!”
“But he’s your brother!”
“SO WHAT?!” He shoves Giyuu while he continues yelling “It’s the fact that he is my brother the reason why I won’t get close to him!”
Those words linger in the air. They wouldn’t have meant anything if Giyuu was the only one who listened. Sanemi would just head back to his home, back to his void of dark thoughts and monotony. The world would still be the same even after he pronounced them. But it wasn’t like that. Because at the entrance of the Estate, just a few steps from them, two boys also listened. They stand in there for an instant. The one that reacts first tries with all his strength to pull the taller one back inside, but it’s useless, his legs can’t stop shaking. The taller one’s face goes pale. His eyes water but he doesn’t let down a single tear. It is when he loosens his grip on the shorter one and the latter nearly falls onto the ground that he reacts and runs back into the Estate.
Sanemi can’t believe it. For a moment he thinks that it was all product of his imagination playing dirty with him again. But it isn’t. It was too real. Something breaks inside him.
Giyuu thought he listened something crack underneath Sanemi’s skin. His previously angry expression breaks down. For a moment he thinks he’ll collapse... but it’s probably more metaphorical than literal. Maybe he’s not the only one who doesn’t know how words work.
“Shinazugawa?” Sanemi looks at him, but he seems out of his body “Come with me.”