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Recently Sanemi read a book about cats, and couldn't avoid associating some of the topics to Tomioka Giyuu.
No, he wasn't the only one that thought like that. A lot of people say that Tomioka is like a cat. But they do it thinking that cats are 'cold, selfish, arrogant and don't give a fuck about anyone'
One of those people have been Sanemi, but that was at the beginning (and middle-), when they still didn't know each other. Nowadays, he continues to think the same way, but slightly differently.
Of course, his personality stays like those felines, he could be seen like all these things on the outside, but he's adorably cute once get to know him.
Ah, and also...
Growls mean that the cat is demanding to move away from it.
The first time he needed to go on a mission with Tomioka wasn't the best.
He always considered him someone annoying, a selfish son of a bitch.
And, when going on this mission, could be said that he wasn't happy. Not even slightly happy.
But, orders are orders! So he will do it, with protests the entire way.
He could see his 'comrade' letting diverse sighs. Tired sighs. And that would make Shinazugaws even angrier, he wanted to smash this dude's head against a tree!
Finally, they found it.
Or, better, the demon found them.
In a blink, it was on the top of the water hashira, while Sanemi was getting angrier with every second that went by. He not only was ignored the entire way, but that asshole also ended up being the first one caught!
Even though he didn't like the other, he knew he was strong - of course he was, after all, he was a hashira - but noticed his arms tremble slightly, the hand that was holding his katana by the blade bleeding.
Suddenly, in that silence - by the shock of neither the hashiras being able to sense the presence of an oni - it was possible to hear a sound of growling.
But it wasn't from the demon.
It was from Tomioka.
Wasn't an animal-like growling.
Was a warning.
A warning to get away from him.
And that oni didn't give a shit, continued trying to take that blade from his mouth or maybe trying to cut the man's hand off...
While that, Sanemi took the chance to attack.
Chirping or chattering, a potential prey that can't be attacked
As soon as he killed the oni, he saw Tomioka getting up.
The growling stopped, but now he could hear a murmur.
Wasn't exactly words, more like sounds that he randomly let out... Or was what he thought.
Now, that he knew the hashira "better", he was familiar that it was insults - to the oni, not to Sanemi.
His fellow hashira had this weird thing of not insulting directly, but he preferred to whisper.
He discovered that on the occasion that a man was trying to sell something to Tomioka. Sanemi didn't give a fuck about it. But he could hear the other demon slayer murmuring "leave me alone", " go away", "I don't want it"
and, Sanemi being Sanemi, he put himself on his side, and stuffed up his chest, showing the scars on his chest, one that looked like a X and the other two that was because of the surgery. And said proudly:
"Leave him alone, asshole, can't ya see that he don't wanna, fucker?"
When anxious or with fear, they try to seem smaller
Tomioka hated attention.
It was a fact.
So, the moment a big family that he just saved surrounded and thanked him, he panicked.
His shoulders went up, and his back became slightly curved as if he was trying to become smaller possible
It would be comical if the other wasn't about to have an anxiety attack.
Staring without blinking, ready to fight
Eyes half closed "bring it on!"
For being a trans man, he knows that he would need to get through a lot of bullshit. But he didn't care. He could deal with it.
That day, however, he was on his period, being more sensitive to those insults.
He just had saved a man from an oni and that bitch, when saw his scars, started to treat him badly.
The wind hashira wanted to answer him but felt a knot in his throat.
He wanted to cry, beat the shit out of that dude and, especially, make Tomioka stop staring at him.
He probably wants to say that to me as well - is what Shinazugawa thinks.
But, then, the other pillar puts himself on his front, between the two, and stares at that man, until he lets his eyes half-closed.
He didn't say anything, just stared at the man.
It was working, the guy was sweating, and let a forced and awkward laugh.
Eyes slightly closed, relaxed
The night was never the favorite of Sanemi, never.
So it could be said that he wasn't happy to go out there just because Tomioka - that was hurt - decided to run away from the butterfly mansion.
Gritting his teeth, clenching his hands - nails almost making them bleed - as he looked for the son of a bitch.
Why did he run away suddenly like this?
And why did Sanemi's heart skipped a beat when found him sitting looking at the night sky?
His eyes were slightly closed, could even be said that he was smiling
It was a beautiful vision - very beautiful.
Even pacific.
He didn't felt that rage anymore.
He just wanted to sit there and appreciate Tomioka.
Pay attention to their fur too. When it rests softly against its body means that the cat is healthy and calm.
After he got to know the hashira, Sanemi was sure that Tomioka doesn't have good mental health.
No hashira actually had, to be honest.
But, after he started to get closer to the pillar, Shinazugawa felt a strong worry for the man.
He was strong, but there were moments that he couldn't deal with his own mind.
It was easy to notice when those moments happened, his hair would get messier, not even tying it.
On those days, Sanemi would focus on taking care of his comrade - making sure he was eating and drinking water, he and Mitsuri would take care of his hair, and they would go see some stray cats.
When their backs are arched means that they are aggressive or with fear
Watching the first time that Giyuu would pet a dog was amazing.
He didn't get well with cats, which Shinazugawa already knew, but was trying to motivate his friend petting a dog that - according to Sanemi - was a good boy.
He couldn't hold back a chuckle while watching them.
The dog was calm, wagging its tail happily while being petted by Giyuu.
The man already had his shoulders nervous and his back slightly arched.
"See! I told you that he wouldn't bite ya!" Said proudly, smiling.
"Mhmm.. " the other murmured, still scared, but his backs were less curve.
Seeing that, Shinazugawa approached and stroke Giyuu's black hair - an involuntary gesture, he haven't even considered doing.
But still, he didn't stop, and Tomioka's ear got slightly red.
When they stretch they show their belly voluntarily, they don't feel threatened by you
Sanemi had a habit.
A horrible habit.
Biting Giyuu's belly every time he got a chance.
That means that the black-haired man already was used to having his arms and hands on it when it shows - even for some seconds.
They were in a meeting - and the only reason the water hashira was there early was that Sanemi dragged him - and talking.
Everyone but Tomioka.
He was in a corner with his back on something, his arms were crossed, and his eyes closed.
While they talked, Shinazugawa watched the man.
He stretched some times but had his belly covered.
Deciding to approach, he went to him and laid his head on his lap, looking at him.
Wasn't the only one, the others hashiras stopped speaking and watched them both - fuck, the wind hashira hated the water one!
Hated
Giyuu looked at him, blinking slowly - for some reason that sanemi had no idea why - and closed his eyes again, stretching one more time - but, this time, he made a terrible decision.
He showed his belly, and that made a weird feeling inside Sanemi's chest... To deal with that, he bit Giyuu's abdomen.
They speak with their ears as well!
A memory that would never be forgotten is, for sure, when he declared himself for Giyuu.
Because, yes, was sanemi who declared.
They walked together, in uncomfortable silence, but soon they started talking about some stupid thing that Shinazugawa used as an excuse to hear the other man's voice.
He could vividly remember the moment they were looking at each other, even being able to see a small smile on Giyuu's face.
Breathing deeply, Sanemi looked at Tomioka and said...
"Alright, hear me out, I have no fucking idea why, and don't ask me how, but I'm so fucking in love with you"
He said, directly.
He wouldn't prepare a romantic text or something. No. He would just say it straight to his face and fuck that shit.
To his surprise, expecting his 'friend' to look at him with disgust, or simply said that didn't like him because of the way he was treated in the past - something that still make Sanemi feel guilty - but no, Giyuu widened his eyes, his ears became red, and soon all his face was red.
Slow blink, a signal of trust and love
He was laying on top of Giyuu while he was being caressed.
That was the thing he loved the most, feeling his boyfriend's hands caressing him.
They weren't soft hands, they were bruised and full of calluses, his fingers long and with knots, but it only made the feeling of having them on his hair even better.
He looked up, at his face, and smiled slightly.
That was something that he found himself doing more every day. Smiling.
Giyuu, noticing the eyes on him, looked down, and smiled - gods, how Sanemi loved that smile - blinking slowly.
Since he's not the best with words that were his way of saying 'I love you'.
Slowly blinking.
That's because once Tanjirou told that cats communicate like this, and Giyuu decided that, given that he didn't feel comfy with words, that would work.
It was like their own code, only between them.
Every time they were in a reunion and looked at Giyuu - and he looked back - they would slowly blink at each other.
Purring, usually, means that it is happy.
Shinazugawa was laying down, feeling arms around him and a body against his back.
He turned around, face to face with a man, his skin very white, his eyes closed, sleeping, his black hair kinda wet because they just came out of the shower.
Listening to a sound coming from the other, like a snore, a sound from the back of his throat.
But it was low, like a cat purring.
Maybe for being aware that it wasn't any that could hear that sound coming from Giyuu, he felt proud.
And glad.
Glad that he had such an amazing man with him.
Sanemi put his hands on his face, carefully, to not wake him up, and the sound got slightly louder.
Hah, who'd say that he'd be laying down, cuddling with Tomioka Giyuu, while the other was 'purring'?
Scent-marking I's a communication between the cats.
Always - ALWAYS - that sanemi got out of the bath he was met with a hug from behind and a face on his neck.
Smiling, caressing Giyuu's black hair.
He doesn't know why he does that - already asked, but the only answer was 'I like it' and no convincing answer.
Not that it matters, he liked that, independent of the reason.
Feeling the man breath on his neck, strong arms around him, being able to pull him to bed and lay there - ignoring Sanemi's wet hair - and cuddling.
When they headbutt they are saying that they consider you a family member.
The moment he openly talked about his relationship with the water hashira they were well received - of course, some people didn't like it, but fuck them.
Genya was the most receptive.
He and Giyuu would pass a lot of time talking about subjects they had in common - and surprisingly they had a lot - sometimes they even looked like father and son.
Sanemi couldn't hold back the happiness of seeing them both.
He could easily get used to it.
And Giyuu would headbutt Genya and Sanemi, he'd do that every time they'd raise their hands to stroke his hair.
It was a routine, practically.
The two Shinazugawa brothers see Tomioka, raise their hands, put his head on their hand, and let them stroke his head.