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"...You know, you should try enjoying life in ways you couldn't before."
Kyojuro released the breath he'd been subconsciously holding in his gut in response to his friend's gentle yet insistent words.
He and Tengen, now retired, sat on the Uzui Estates veranda, relaxing and enjoying the gentle breeze accompanied by the ambient songs of crickets and birds. It was a partly cloudy spring evening. The doors out to the veranda were open, allowing the fresh breeze to enter the empty, quiet home.
It's been awhile since the incidents of Mugen Train and Red Light District, both Hashira now fully recovered from their injuries enough to spend time with one another alone. The silence had been thick and uncomfortable between them prior to Tengens words breaking it. Kyojuro's gaze softened as he looked out into the woodland view. He felt a tightness in his gut where his scar rested, swallowing as his throat felt dry, wetting his lips with his tongue before speaking. "I just don't know how."
"There's no harm in figuring it out then. You have a life, Kyojuro...not all of you was built upon being a Hashira, let alone a swordsman. Life's so much more than that." Tengen continued, his eyes fixed on the fiery haired man across from him. He sat relaxed, leaning his back and head against the wooden foundation of the wall, one leg resting on the wood of the porch and the other raised. He wore his home yukata; something comfortable and open. Kyojuro sat almost stiffly on the other side of the doorframe, legs crossed and back straight, hands balled into resting fists on either of his knees. Tengen leaned his head forward to rest into his palm, a sigh slipping past his lips. His gaze softened, worried for his friend's health and happiness as Kyojuro remained still and silent, as if imitating a statue.
"...I just want you to be happy. Seeing you like this hurts more than my damn injuries ever did. I'm asking you to just...let go, and breathe freely. You've dedicated your whole life to others, but now I'm asking you, not as a fellow retired Hashira, but as a friend...just breathe."
For every word, Tengen felt his heart sting and ache. For every word, Kyojuro felt his body tremble.
He's fought, and fought, and fought all his life for the sake of others that the thought of living for himself now almost felt scary. He felt lost, but at least not alone. He lowered his gaze to his lap, feeling tears prick at the corners of his eyes. Even though his thoughts were muddled and ridden with so many different emotions, he slowly started to feel the achingly heavy weight on his shoulders lift, little by little, as if being removed by some divine force. Finally, his tensed muscles began to relax, his shoulders falling slump and head held low as he finally took those first few breaths of release. His body felt heavy and tired, the pain in his joints surfacing. All the physical strain hit him like an ocean's wave greeting the beach. His chest trembled once he let his eyes fall shut, a silent, warm stream of tears flowing from his eyes.
Tengen watched quietly from where he sat. He knew it was hard, that it was painful, but the ache in his heart went away knowing his friend could finally breathe.
With a light huff, he stood up, dusting off a little before stepping closer until beside Kyojuro, and sat down beside him, looking out into the woodland, undisturbed by their presence, the flow of life's time not stopping for the emotions pouring out of the fiery haired man. Tengen slowly brought his arm around Kyojuro's quivering shoulders, his hand resting upon his upper arm. Kyojuro let out a shaking breath, reaching his own hand to rest atop Tengens, leaning onto his side, silently thanking him for everything. His presence, his words, his comfort; for things he'd never be able to describe into words. The silver haired man smiled softly, resting his eyes closed and he leaned his head back onto the wooden foundation.
"We'll be alright."