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Tomioka was mostly sent on solitary missions. Though he was not a very aggressive alpha— in fact even his scent was muted in a more similar resemblance to a beta —his apathetic nature seemed to set off many of the other hashira. Wether it was another alpha like Uzui or Sanemi, or just a beta, all seemed equally adverse to his company. Even the few omegas within the corps didn’t hold any affection for him despite their compatible biology.
Ubuyashiki-sama was never so cruel as to completely isolate him, but since Tomioka didn’t have much care for other’s either, he was simply left to his own devices. Occasionally he (or rather his companion) could be coaxed into a joint mission. Shinobu is more friendly with him, and Rengoku is nice to everyone. Mitsuri is similar to her alpha mentor in the fact that she also is easy to get along with. In fact it’s for that reason that they don’t often meet. Giyuu’s avoidance of physical contact and any kind of typical bonding meant he practically ran at the sight of pink hair.
It was only because of her sudden injury that he was sent to the site of the demon. And though they were in close proximity (hypothetically) Giyuu hadn’t thought about the fact that he might’ve come across the younger omega.
The man had completed his task quickly, suffering only a few light injuries. None of them would be debilitating— but since dusk was nearing once more, and his crow hadn’t come with another mission, Giyuu wandered towards wherever the nearest wisteria house was. There had been a small hostel in a nearer village, though the sight of his sword had him turned away. Not willing to wander to much longer Tomioka let Kanzaburou lead him.
Hoping the bird wasn’t lost he followed his crow for several miles. Just before he decided to give up and spend the night outdoors a small house cropped up in the distance. Affixed with the familiar floral insignia, Tomioka took it as a sign to push through the gate and wait for a greeting at the door.
The civilian who welcomed him was much like all the other keepers, which was to say, relatively normal. It was an older woman with heavy laugh lines and loose hair. Her scent was sharp and tangy, clear enough that it made Giyuu’s jaw ache slightly.
She took a moment to analyze him before actually introducing herself. “I’m Watanabe Yuchi, thank you for gracing me with your company.” Her eyes softened as she stepped to the side so he could enter properly.
“We have another hashira visiting too. I’m presume you’re visiting due to her predicament?”
He could only offer a silent nod. The news of her injury had been surprising. Something bad enough to disable another pillar was foreboding enough. He didn’t know the full details of her condition, just that she couldn’t complete the assignment.
“Well, I’ll begin to prepare dinner. Mitsuri-dono is in the third room down the hall. If you’d like some time to yourself beforehand then the next room over is free as well.”
“Thank you.”
Yuchi fixed him with a very odd smile and a wink. “I hope you enjoy your stay here.”
He can tell exactly where Mitsuri is staying even without directions. Her scent has always been heavy and now is no exception.
The night is late but considering the ambiguous condition of his comrade Tomioka finds the energy to stop by her door. Knocking lightly he takes note that there’s no hint of pain, only slight distress. It makes his brow furrow. She could just be bandaged heavily enough for the smell of blood to be hidden.
The door opened slowly. Before the woman even came into view her scent leaped through the opening to announce her presence. It’s much… louder than usual, surrounding him within seconds.
“Tomioka-san?” Kanroji’s voice is a little hoarse. Her red face and damp scent might normally suggest sickness, but her large pupils mean something else.
His cheeks immediately go red. Now he understands why the details of her sudden absence weren’t disclosed. She’s in the middle of heat.
“Sorry, I thought you were injured. I can go.”
The woman is quick to push the door open more. “No don’t feel bad!” She clings to one of his sleeves for a second before releasing him. “I just meant that I really don’t mind. I feel fine for now.”
“It’s late.”
“I slept all morning!” Mitsuri lets out a little giggle that will bounce around his head for the rest of his life. The door creaks open more and her scent continues to flood his nose.
The robe she wears isn’t immodest by any means, but Giyuu can’t help but avert his eyes. Her green eyes are still boring into his face.
It takes a moment to build up the words and focus his mind but Tomioka chokes out the words, “You’re doing ok then?” Maybe he should’ve tried to excuse himself again. There’s still a small wrinkle in his sleeve from where she had grabbed it. Staring at the spot doesn’t help to clear his mind.
Immediately she starts to pout. “Not really. I’ve never spent a heat away from home.” The woman ends the sentence with a small sniff. Scrubbing at her wet eyes she tries to reassure him with a smile. “Sorry! Usually I’m able to prepare myself better.”
“That must be hard.” Giyuu only experiences his ruts every other year. Suppressants allow him to carefully plan the event. Matters like this are private, but her scent lacks any tinge of the strong smell of medication. Natural cycles happen more often and tend to be stronger. Even if Kanroji is only a day or two in it’s a miracle she’s so alert.
“At least Yuchi-san has been very nice.”
Tomioka blushes deeper as he remembers her prompting to help with Mitsuri. With his mouth dry again the man just nods.
It grows quiet again. The younger hashira doesn’t seem deterred by Giyuu’s mix of panic and typical social unawareness. She keeps staring at him with bright eyes and a warm smile.
Focusing on capturing his voice again the alpha sighs. “Have a good night.” Before he gets through the whole phrase she’s gripping his haori again.
“I said you could stay though.” Each word ends in a slight whimper.
“I did stay. It’s late now.”
Despite his best attempts it appears something about his tone was too callous. Another whimper slips out from between her lips more drawn out. Within seconds her weak grasp on his sleeve has turned into fists balled up in his shirt.Mitsuri’s legs are slightly unsteady as she leans against him. “I’ve never spent one alone Tomioka-san. Can you please just stay for a bit longer?” There’s a wavering at the end of the question. Her desperation can practically be tasted.
And Giyuu knows that if he agrees it won’t be “for a bit” even if she really does mean it that way. The more (maybe less, actually) rational part of his brain wants to say no. Mitsuri is nice, nicer than any of the other hashira, which is precisely the reason he should say no. A person like her— much less a desperate omega in heat —deserves a better companion. He hasn’t cared for anyone before, minus his first rut intertwined with Sabito.
But every time he takes the smallest breath her warm and alluring scent dives all the way into his heart. It’s sweet without being sickening. With the way she’s rubbing her cheek against his shirt the smell will stick with him even if he says no. Which he still hasn’t managed to do.
When he finally does manage to open his mouth Giyuu can only cough. He’s practically choking on her need for care. “…Sure.” The answer leaps from the back of his throat, dry and quiet.
“Oh I’m so glad!” Kanroji drags his head down so she can sniff along the edge of his collar.
Giyuu still hasn’t processed his apparent agreement. As her arms wrap around him the man’s own nose is enveloped in even more of her sweetness.
If her scent was strong in the hallway then it practically drowns him within the room. His instincts have never been particularly strong, nor does he often act on them, but the back of his mind is saying to comfort comfort comfort. Listening to the strange pull of his sixth sense (and the soft tugging of Mitsuri who is still clinging to his side) Giyuu wanders towards her nest. He only needs to hover on the boundary of the bedding for a mere moment before she pulls him into it. Not all the blankets and pillows are saturated with her smell, still holding the light perfumed smell of fresh laundry. The alpha tries to focus on that as opposed to her scent that makes him go slightly dizzy.
“What do you need from me?” The question should’ve been asked earlier. She’s right on the cusp of true adulthood, might already be there already. His blood rushes southward, but not too quickly. It only makes his twitch slightly.
She wraps a warm arm around his neck. “I just like to cuddle. And someone to bring me meals. I know I usually have a ravenous appetite, but sometimes I get so tired I forget to eat.” Tomioka is tugged down further into the sheets. “But you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”
It takes a moment to find his tongue. “I’ve never helped anyone before. I mean, my sister was there sometimes.” He doesn’t know why he adds that part. “But she was engaged, and I was too young anyways.” The man hasn’t ever felt like a bad alpha before. He doesn’t care much for things like that. Right now though red rises up to his ears.
Hot fingers wipe over the warmth gathering at his scent glands. “That’s fine.” She’s still smiling when she should be asking him to leave. Mitsuri would say it politely even though he should be scruffed and dragged out like an unruly pup. “You give what you can.”
She continues to prod at his scent glands. He’s never been more aware of how he smells. Even if his own signature is somewhat lacking it doesn’t clash much with Mitsuri’s. He gives a few cautionary sniffs, below her glands around her collarbones. Though the woman is making herself well acquainted with his neck Giyuu isn’t sure he could do the same. Breathing alone makes him nearly choke. It wouldn’t be a horrible way to die.
“Can I show you?”
Giyuu cocks his head.
“Your arms are too stiff.” She flips their positions to push him into the sheets. Nudging his head upward she finds a place to rest her cheek on his shoulder. Her bangs are tickling his chin.
Nudging his arm upward Tomioka hesitantly curls it around her back. A small rumble builds in her chest that morphs into a quiet purr. When his fingers continue to skim over her skin more of the gentle noises fall from her lips. Almost hypnotized he continues the circular motions.
Within mere moments her eyes are slipping closed. Tomioka can’t shake his stiffness quite yet. Despite all of Kanroji’s softness he’s far too aware of the precarious situation. He stays awake for far longer than he should, but eventually the gentle sheets and late hour convince his eyes to shut.
—-
Tomioka wakes up still in his uniform. The top few buttons of his shirt have been undone. There’s no question of where Mitsuri is. With his scent glands exposed she’s dug her nose right into his neck. Her breath pushes against his pulse point.
He’s never slept in a nest before, never even seen one made. There might be fuzzy memories of his sister wrapping him up in piles of blankets, but he can’t bring them into focus. Everything is still soft around the edges even in real life. He can feel his arm pinned underneath her body. The other is free and Giyuu attempt to use it to worm out the rest of his body is mostly unsuccessful. With his arm and leg slowly going numb he shifts strategies.
Pulling her fully on to him the woman’s weight is more evenly distributed. Pushing himself up he bears her weight and lies her back onto the futon. She attempts to grip his shirt and thankfully her usual strength is weakened with sleep.
Free from her hold he darts into the bathroom. The smell isn’t so strong there. Generally the warmth is lesser too, though heat still buzzes underneath his skin. Tomioka is typically unaffected by the scents of others. It seems he hadn’t considered that something as strong as a heat could affect him so strongly. Even as he tries to go about a typical morning routine the glands on his neck are throbbing. The strands of hair the gather around his shoulders are more irritating than usual.
After going about his business and feeling somewhat presentable despite his plans to do almost nothing, he bumps into Mitsuri right outside the connecting door.
“Where were you?” Her voice is lined with a whine again.
Giyuu looks back at the door behind him. The bathroom is of course a dead end. He’s not sure if the woman is usually this air-headed.
“The restroom.”
“You should’ve woken me up.”
He stares at her for another moment. “I’ll warn you next time.” Naturally a hand raises to pass over her head. The action is smooth even with the strange unfamiliarity. Pink braids have become undone to flow into long waving hair that’s much easier to run his fingers through.
It placated her for the moment as she guides him back to the nest. There’s a large tray above the futon, filled with fruit and porridge and a few unfamiliar desserts. “Yuchi-san brought it for us! She’s so nice and makes the best foods. You won’t need to worry about lunch or dinner either.”
As they sink into the blankets she’s already pressing berries against his lips. “There’s a farm nearby I think! Everything is so sweet.”
“You should eat first.” He speaks around the food and tries to reject another treat. Juice is already staining his chin.
When she frowns Giyuu is quick to redirect the chocolate towards her own mouth. As soon as the sweet touches Mitsuri’s lips the thought evaporates. He forces several drinks down her throat until she complains loud enough to turn him away. The man settles for the scraps left behind. They’re just as delicious as the full meal and do their job to fill him up.
Afterwards Mitsuri pulls him deeper into the nest and tucks herself against his side.
—-
After the first few nights Mitsuri slowly relies more on her hindbrain. Words are exchanged for simple tugs and grunted noises. Everytime Giyuu has to pull away to grab food or relieve himself the omega lets out small whines until he gets back.
Though leaving the nest is uncomfortable it seems she cares for Giyuu’s presence more. The man has managed to keep some of his privacy, but a shadow always signals Kanroji waiting nearby. As soon as he comes back into view she goes back to clinging to his arm and rubbing against his side. He doesn’t particularly mind her clinging, but it’s as unfamiliar to him as everything else.
It pulls him into the role of alpha eventually. When she noses his scent gland he moves to curl around her without even thinking. Tomioka happily stimulates Mitsuri’s spots too. At first he starts with her wrists, rubbing them against his own. When her tongue caresses his neck the man is compelled to echo the movement below her palm. Somehow he becomes comfortable letting his own tongue run over her skin. She’s completely at ease, even when Giyuu’s clumsiness means his teeth sometimes skim over the sensitive spots. Kanroji only lets out small gasps of air but it makes his whole body shudder each time.
Despite his bold reactions to each soft noise the woman makes Giyuu isn’t bothered by her body much anymore. None of her nudity is purposeful, but the robe she wears is often loose. At first he’d tighten it discreetly, or in her sleep. After a dozen failed attempts he decided to try to keep his eyes above her collarbones. It’s not foolproof, but she tends to only flash him once a day.
Yuchi leaves Tomioka his own robe, which he’s glad to exchange his uniform for. As soon as he strips off the old clothes Kanroji nabs them to tuck into the blankets. He tries not to wilt at the thought of his dirt covered clothes being lumped in with fresh sheets.
Being a demon slayer means he’s not completely discomforted by nudity. Shinobu has stripped him down to clean wounds and long missions leave him changing in front of his companions often. He doesn’t hide from Mitsuri but her staring is a little unnerving. Her pupils are wide enough that he might not even be in focus.
The moment passes soon enough. The omega drags him into the nest as soon as his feet brush against the blankets. “You smell like soap now.” She’s a little disgruntled when she says it.
“I probably smell gross.” Somehow his tongue has loosened quite a bit. When a prompt is given that brushes against one of his thoughts it slips out his lips.
When he curls against her, Kanroji pulls his clothing forward and rubs it stubbornly against her own. Her wrists roll over the cotton too. The woman has no care for the way she’s practically stripping Giyuu again. He doesn’t stop her until she attempts to pull his tie open. Instead he guides her hands to settle around his neck. Once she’s fallen back into their usual position Kanroji settles down again.
While his unbuttoned uniform wasn’t as constricting the loose robe certainly offered more room. Tomioka’s neck is nearly being attacked. With his scent glad all exposed and swollen it draws her mouth in like a magnet. Where she only exchanged scents before Mitsuri now goes over the area with her tongue. The soft muscle soothes inflamed skin only for quick teeth to prick it again. It’s stimulating in so many ways. Overall the alpha finds himself letting out quick breaths and odd jerks. Kanroji settles her weight on him until the man stills, resigned to his fate. It’s not as bad now with her on top of him. The heavy feeling helps drag his bones into the sheets rather than hopping upwards. He’s glad that even now he can control his breathing, forcing blood away from his dick.
But once the feeling of a woman on top of him fades to something less sinister he can revel in the sensations. Her tongue is smooth over his glands. She gets into a rhythm of soaking up the smell and then covering it with her own scent. Switching to the other side of his neck Giyuu lets her continue as he pulls his fingers through her hair. Every few minutes the man brushes against Mitsuri’s glands. They’re just as swollen as his own. Though he doesn’t have the gall to use his tongue he tries to relieve some of the pressure by massaging the area. Her smell pulses through the room, overtaking all his senses. He can’t remember smelling anyone this closely. Every bit of her is clear. Tomioka can practically taste the chocolate he fed her a few days ago. Her shampoo brushes up against his nose.
—-
It’s a bit embarrassing the next day when Yachi checks in on them and Kanroji is still crouched over his chest. The woman squeaks like she’s caught the pair in the middle of sex. Mitsuri has enough sense to roll off of him, but that doesn’t improve much. His neck is covered in a myriad of hickies. The alpha’s scent glands have turned into two big purple bruises.
When she squeaks out and leaves Mitsuri murmurs out an apology. It doesn’t do much when only Giyuu can hear it, but it might be directed towards him as well. In further remorse she tries to send another gentle lick his way.
With a hiss that might be too harsh Tomioka fends her off. The stimulation was nice, but now the area is far too sensitive and drained. He’ll probably need to wear patches under his uniform for the next week.
“S-sorry!” she stutters out again. “Was I too rough? Usually my siblings only let me get one or two licks.”
“Oh I’m not sure. I’ve never been groomed before.”
“Huh? I have to keep going then! It’s the best thing in the world isn’t it? But don’t worry, I’ll just fix your hair or you can do my neck- but I guess grooming someone else isn’t the same…”
“It’s fine.” He tries to wrestle her into silence. “I’m hungry. I think Watanabe-san left the food outside.”
“Ok! Don’t take too long.” The moment he’s left her grasp Mitsuri squirms around to find his shirt that was long discarded. Buried into the dirty fabric she waits for him to return. Though he’s gone for only a moment she’s waiting eagerly.
“You seem more awake now, than last night or even this morning.” She doesn’t crush him when he returns. Instead clinging to him with a normal amount of strength.
He can’t tell if she’s trying to make a joke or not. Giyuu attempts a subtle smile which is vaguely successful is providing whatever response she wanted. “I think you’re the one who’s more awake.” He’s not sure whether he means it to poke fun or as a simple statement. Can it be both?
“Huh?! Are you saying I’m lazy? You shouldn’t make fun of someone in my situation.” Despite the whining words she continues to hide behind his arm and attempt to grow closer than she already is.
—-
Once Kanroji can be pried away from the next for more than a bathroom break Tomioka tentatively brings up the idea of a bath. A week of being attached to her side means his own body is in a similar state of filth. While he’s been dirtier, musk and sweat and body oil has built up over him skin. The man’s hair is limp and shiny enough to look like it actually is wet.
Mitsuri’s hair is rather tangled outside of it’s braids. They haven’t done more than run fingers through it. The long tresses have become more like strands of overcooked spaghetti. Maybe the green leans more towards snakes, like Medusa.
She agrees but when Tomioka stands the woman’s arms stay wrapped around his neck, making it clear he won’t get much more alone time. With the need to be refreshed defeating the need for privacy he carries her to the bathroom.
As they both strip down Giyuu tries not to stare. Mitsuri isn’t shy. She doesn’t quite stare, but her eyes aren’t avoidant. The man probably has less to offer. He can’t imagine purple bruises and old scars are much of a sight. And he has no more muscle than most other slayers.
Mitsuri is beautiful by any means. Her wide hips are notable by purely biological standards. The insides of her thighs shine with slick. It’s a sign of what’s to come within the next year or so. A true heat is far away enough that it hasn’t crept into her scent yet.
What really makes her beautiful is everything unbiological. The strange tint of her hair that fades to match her eyes. (He wonders if her eyes were originally that hue, or if they changed along with her locks.) Kanroji’s cheerful demeanor and friendly nature can capture almost anyone’s affection. Even Shinazugawa grumbles less when she smiles at him.
When he bends down to take off his socks soft hands skim over his spine. He nearly jumps out of his skin. It pushes a laugh out of the woman. She repeats the motion a few times until he bucks her off and straightens out again.
Tomioka holds her hand while the omega steps into the bath. It’s like a sort of dance. When she settles in Giyuu hesitates. Her invitation doesn’t soothe any of his insecurities.
Her hand doesn’t slip from his even when his own grip falters. She tugs on the very tip of his fingers. It tempts him to step in beside her.
The water is pleasant. Though he hasn’t done much more than lie around for the past few days there’s still layers of sweat and dead skin to scrape off.
Before she can insist on scrubbing his back first Giyuu has already swiped the sponge from the counter. Just because he’s not as intoxicated as before doesn’t mean the voice in the back of his head has stopped whispering.
He moves over her skin easily. The sheen of sweat is replaced by a pink glow from the heat. Tomioka is surprised by the amount of scars covering her skin. They become more bold in contrast to her flushed back. At some places they match his own scars. He moves over them with reverence. It spreads out like a map between his fingers.
Moving lower he scrubs her thighs. The scars there are much more sparse. They intertwine with stretch marks to curl around her legs. Her scent glands lie a little too high for him to clean, at least comfortably. Instead he passes the sponge to her and settles against her shoulder.
By the time she’s done the water is already growing lukewarm. It’s not as bothersome considering their high body temperatures, but Mitsuri is decidedly done trying to be alert. Giyuu takes time to clean himself while the omega leans against the tub and tries to stay close to him. The alpha is less hesitant about prying her away from his skin, especially when she moves with his insistence instead of continuing to grab onto him.
“Alright I’m done.” Tomioka isn’t particularly fond of soaking pointlessly. Leaping out of the tub it’s no surprise when Kanroji hops out afterwards despite her shivering.
He passes over a few towels so she can wrap herself up properly. She makes what could almost be a faux nest with all of the material. The material of the bathroom is hard, but she curls up against the cold tile happily in the bundle.
Tomioka only needs one towel to rub down he body. Efficiently he pins his hair up while it continues drip down his neck. Pulling his robe back on he waits patiently at the edge of the door while Mitsuri sluggishly moves upwards.
While she hasn’t regresses into her former state of hindbrain, the omega has fallen into a near sleep with the humid air and luxurious towels. He has to help pin up her locks, but it’s understandable she needs help with the sheer volume of it.
She purrs louder than ever when his hands graze her neck simply by mistake. He can’t manage more than a plain bun. Of course she compliments the style regardless. “You’re so impressive Giyuu! I didn’t realize you could do hair at all! I guess it makes sense since your own is so long. Why is that?”
“It’s just always been that way.” As a child he’d always been jealous of his sister’s long locks. Tsutako used to comb it out while he watched the way it dropped past her waist.
She frowns a bit, like she knows it’s not the full truth, but doesn’t pressure him more. “Well it’s so pretty! I used to dye my hair black but then Kyojuro-san said he liked the natural color better. His is pretty too, with all the red and gold. I like natural colors like yours still!”
“Thanks.”
“Oh I hope you didn’t take any offense. I really do like it! It’s not black black y’know? There’s a blue undertone it’s really subtle but-“
“It’s fine Kanroji. I don’t care for things like that.”
She attempts to hug the alpha, and he quickly sidesteps the attempt. Still nude he avoids the sight of her breasts and offers up one of the robes.
“Wow thanks! It’s cold isn’t it?” The bath has really rejuvenated her. While he prompts her to finally make it back to their proper nest she follows cheerfully.
It’s surprising when Tomioka is the first to crawl into the sheets. He finds the scents and textures as appealing as the omega who made it does. While it’s not necessarily a clean environment it’s more mess than filth.
Without even thinking he beckons Mitsuri into his arms. It’s clear within the next two or three days she’ll be cleared to go back out onto the field. Giyuu himself still feels a little heady on pheromones. The woman fits naturally into his hold. Once again she peels open his robe to sit closer to his chest.
“Thanks for helping out Giyuu! You’re so nice. We should do this next time too. Or during your ruts!”
“I’ll think about it.” There’s some sort of smile in his voice but Tomioka can’t tell if he feels tortured or not at the idea of a next time.