Work Text:
Tengen breathed a sigh of relief once he felt Hinatsuru’s breathing even out. Of his girls she tended to fall asleep last, usually wanting to make sure that everyone else was asleep first. He’d imagined early on that Suma with her ever-present worry and anxiety would be the last to fall asleep. But her excitement and energy output during the day meant that she was the first to bed. Makio was next. She had specific routines and movements so that she could settle in but once she got into that rhythm her eyes were shut close. Hinatsuru always took a little longer. Typically they’d stay up and talk in hushed whispers. His calming and sure voice was like a soft safety blanket lulling her to sleep. She’d fight to keep her eyes open but she’d succumb easily.
He looked down at them all snuggled up together. It was a beautiful sight he’d never get used to.
When he was younger he’d always been tall in comparison to his siblings but lean. He was thankful that he’d grown much bigger and more muscular. His chest was broad enough to serve as a pillow for his wives. His arms were strong enough to hold them. It was as though all that gruesome, vile forms of training his father had put him through at least had some purpose. It made him, at least physically, enough for them . His wives, his girls, his most precious gift.
Tengen had known from a young age that he’d have to marry but it had been clear that marriages were formed out of necessity not love. Wives were solely there to serve their husbands and to produce heirs. They had no value to a Shinobi. But when he turned his back on that life. Never wanting to be his father or what his brother had become, his view of what being married meant shifted. He wanted more out of his marriage.
When they married he knew that he cared for his wives immediately. He had an innate need to protect them. They were all that he had after leaving the life he was meant to lead. With time though he fell in love with them. Each for their own unique beauty and charms. For what they gave him collectively. How they loved each other. It was easy for them to make a home in his heart. A heart that he’d believed had gone with his slain siblings.
There were many who didn’t understand their relationship. They imagined that he’d had three wives just for the sex. And while that was amazing there was much more to their relationships than just physical acts of intimacy. Even if just one was removed they would be entirely incomplete. The true depth of his feelings for them couldn’t be described. At times he worried that they didn’t know just how much his heart beat for them.
He knew that it was an incredible thing in life to find one person to love wholly and unconditionally. To have at least someone to live and strive for. It was another matter entirely to find three to share that love with. He found though that they were just too easy to love.
If he hadn’t found that love at the moment he needed it most he was sure that he’d be buried right next to his dear siblings. For what meaning did his life have? Instead despite the carnage, and terror, they faced daily his life was a beautiful one.
Tengen knew that he didn’t deserve such love. Despite his wives’ insistence that he did. He’d done terrible, unforgivable things. Still, the gods and the universe had conspired to bring them together. Who was he to deny fate? Thus he threw all he had into demon slaying. Hoping that by doing such grueling work the scales of life would tip in his favor. That he’d be able to hold the three of them just like this for as long as possible. His work as a Hashira wasn’t altruistic in any sense. In actuality, it was just his form of payment. A way to atone for his many sins. So that one day despite his claim of having a direct path to hell he might actually get to spend a beautiful eternity with his angels.
He prayed that they still had many years before facing that inevitability.
Despite knowing they were fast asleep, Tengen dropped soft kisses against their heads.
“I love you. I hope you all know that.”
There were very few opportunities for him to wax so poetically about his wives. He was the God of festivals, of sound and bright lights. Flashiness was his way of life.
Tonight though in the safety of their home and warm bed such brashness felt misplaced. Quiet declarations of love in this sacred place resounded like thundering symphonies.
He stared out the window at the grove of wisteria trees. Here it felt like nothing could hurt them. That the horrors of the outside world would never touch them. Perhaps that's what a home should feel like.
“Lord Tengen…” His thoughts were interrupted upon hearing Makio’s voice.
“Hey what are you doing awake, go to sleep.”
She nuzzled into his chest. “Sorry, old habits. It’s strange to sleep through the night so relaxed.” He understood. Such a thing was a rare luxury. They were always alert even while at rest. Ready to move and react at a moment's notice.
“I know sweet girl. It’s okay.” He assured her with a kiss.
“Makio, stop moving, I'm going to tell Lord Tengen.” He grinned. There was the next one.
Tengen kissed away the pout off of Suma’s lips. Thankfully her eyes were still filled with sleep.
“Now, now not you too. Don’t bicker, at least Hinatsuru may be able to sleep.”
“Too late.” He chuckled hearing Hinatsuru’s gentle voice ring out, not expecting anything less. They were all so attuned to each other.
“Troublesome wives, after all the work I put into helping you fall asleep.”
The girls just smiled and curled into him closer, their arms wrapping around each other.
“Rest easy wives. We’re safe at home. Nothing can hurt us here.” And it was easy to believe him. He never lied to them and he always kept his word.
“Sing for us.”
He grinned at the request. “My dear wives, how could I deny you anything? Fine, for a little but try to sleep.”
The girls fell silent as his rich voice filled the room. Singing his song for them, their lullaby.
“Under the whispering Wisteria, I fell in love.”
“With a girl made of sunlight.” He gently kissed Makio as his thumb moved to rub the soft skin behind her ear. His sun. Vibrant and life-giving. Strong and shining. She could be harsh at times but it was all he could do to not bask in her light.
He shifted to kiss Suma as his hand cradled her face. While her bright eyes so blue and deep stared back at him. “One of moonbeams.” His moon, so sweet as she glimmered. Absorbing and reflecting all the light in his life. Filling his darkness with her glow.
Hinatsuru looked up at him, waiting and wanting. His lips easily met hers. “The other of stardust.” His star, his guide, and compass. Whenever he lost his way she’d place him back on the right path.
His entire universe was held within his arms.
He felt his eyes begin to droop as his girls succumbed back to sleep. Who knew what the future and beyond held. That didn’t matter because right here at this moment was everything.
“Stay with me forever here under the Wisteria tree.”