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It’s dark.
a gloomy, lonely dark.
Giyuu doesn’t remember when he first walked away victorious from the fight, or when he started to feel the blood dripping down his back, cold and sticky as it seeped through his uniform.
All he can recall is the soft glow of a lamp, as someone comes up to him, bright fiery hair shining even with the murk of night.
He remembers walking into an estate, his uniform sweaty and stifling as he peels it off of his back, someone grabbing it from his hands and folding it, putting it on the other side of the room he’s currently in.
Maybe it was the calloused hands, or the gentle touch stemming from them, but it doesn’t take much to snap Giyuu out of his gaze as he thinks to himself.
‘Ah, Rengoku.’
-
The curtains in the room sway in the summer’s night, allowing spots of moonlight to flow freely within the room.
Raven hair splays over his own shoulders, covering the most of the expense of his back–scarred and blemished from numerous battles against demons. Tomioka’s eyes only look towards the singular lamp in the room, its dim light doing just enough for the person behind him to pour ointment down his pale back.
He moves his hair out of the way and turns his head slightly towards him, behind, is none other than Rengoku Kyoujurou, the flame hashira.
His fiery eyes trail down the other’s back, his hands massaging down the path where his eyes go. He’s surprisingly gentle, hands delicately and expertly rub the ointment in, his movements greatly contrast the raging power that his fire holds.
They’ve been sitting in silence, while Tomioka doesn’t mind the silence; he does find it strange when it's paired with Rengoku. It's... off-putting to say the least, something in him is telling him to get it together and talk to him. He clears his throat, still keeping his gaze trained onto the dull lamp in the room.
“You have nice hands,” Tomioka turns fully to face the man behind him, who’s suddenly gone pink in the face. Blue eyes study red, and at some point Tomioka wonders if he said the wrong thing because of the sheer embarrassment (or maybe blush) that makes a home for it in the others’ features.
Just as he’s about to turn back around he hears a booming voice behind him.
“Well..! I think you have” –he clears his throat– “alright hands too!”
“Alright?”
“Not just alright, you have–uhm, pretty hands!”
“Pretty?”
“No–yes! Nevermind, forget anything I just said..”
By the time he finishes fumbling over his words, Rengoku’s hands have left the water hashira’s back and flailed around while talking, as if it helps him defend himself better.
Tomioka only watches Rengoku, from his flustered face to his shaking hands.
A part of him thinks it's silly.
A part of him thinks it's cute.
Tomioka huffs out a laugh before he gets up and walks to the corner of the room they reside in, grabbing his uniform that was folded neatly on the side.
Rengokus eyes follow Tomioka figure as he crosses the room, eyes landing on the curve of his hips as they slightly sway from side to side—
Wow Rengoku, pull yourself together.
The water hashira pulls his arms through the sleeves of his uniform and fixes the belt across his waist, he grabs his haori, holding it firmly in his hands. Turning around, he stares right back at Rengoku.
There’s an awkward quietness between them as Rengoku opens and closes his mouth–thinking about what to say to him. Tomioka runs his hands through his hair sheepishly, pulling back strands that have fallen out of his ponytail.
“I, uh, Thankyou Rengoku-san.”
He stands there like an idiot as his hands tighten around the haori in his hands.
“I don't want to waste your time any longer—”
Rengoku puts a hand in front of him, as if he's physically trying to stop the words from reaching himself.
“None of that, I helped you out of the kindness of my own heart!” He starts as he slowly puts his hand down to rest in his lap.
“But the ointment still needs time to settle, so,” There's an uncertainty lingering in his voice as he speaks, the lack of confidence that looks strange on the person's (normally, courageous) face.
“You could stay here for the night, you wouldn’t be inconveniencing me in any way or form!”
Tomioka watches in shock, eyes widening the tiniest bit.
He tries to speak but his voice doesnt come out the way he wants it to, he coughs in his hand and turns his head to the side, to hide the growing heat showing on his skin.
“Thankyou, Rengoku-san.
–
“There’s only a few hours left of the night,” Tomioka mutters–mostly to himself.
Rengoku comes behind him, freshly brewed tea sitting on top of the tray he holds with practised precision.
“Hm, I guess there is!”
The other booming voice makes Tomioka jolt upright, bringing him out of his trance. He turns around quickly and eyes the steam from the tea that Rengoku passes over to him.
He takes it and tucks the cup in between his hands, savouring the temporary warmth that it brings him.
“Thank you, again–for your hospitality.”
Rengoku waves a hand as if to wave away the thanks all together, “Of course Tomioka, like you said there's only a few hours left of the night, might as well spend it with someone!”
Tomioka only nods along before looking back at the tea, he blows air on the edge of the cup gently and watches as it makes a ripple effect. Taking a sip, he keeps his gaze down, watching as the moon, low in the sky, still reflects so boldly into the water.
They sit in silence for a while, a odd--yet comforting quiet. Sitting in the back of the estate, watching as little fireflies and nocturnal creatures crawl back into their hiding places, preparing for the sun to rise for a new day.
"So, ahem-" Rengoku clears his throat, looking over to Tomioka, "Would it be asking for too much to wonder why I found you so battered?" He says, boldly as he looks over Tomioka's features, scanning for any disdain or uncomfortableness.
Tomioka remains neutral, and he sips his cup of tea, before putting it down to rest in his lap, tiredly staring down at the glass half empty.
"It was a mistake on my behalf, a foolish one." He explains vaguely, Rengoku leans down skeptically, to look at Tomioka's face as his raven bangs fall over his eyes, hiding his expression.
"Well, that seems hard to believe, if i'm being honest." Rengoku huffs, sitting back up straight when he can't detect any lie, he looks down at his own tea, thinking. "You're very thorough, it's hard to grasp you'd make a mistake." He adds on quietly, taking a sip of his tea as he looks to the side.
Tomioka snorts, putting a hand up to cover his embarrassed cheeks.
"No, no, i'm just any other slayer, I make mistakes as well." He looks over to Rengoku, and Rengoku looks back to meet his eyes.
"Hm? really? you're teasing me, aren't you?" Rengoku asks, a broad smile on his face as he leans back, letting his legs splay across the floorboards.
Tomioka nods along, and he whispers, a little bashful as he looks away, "If anything, i'm quite jealous of you, Rengoku." He admits, bringing up a hand to brush his bangs to the side, only for them to fall back in his face again.
"really?!"
"yes, really-you just-" Tomioka pauses, looking back towards Rengoku, "you shine so brightly, so it's hard to see any flaws."
Rengoku freezes, and he lets out a hearty laugh, playfully reaching over to nudge at Tomioka's shoulder, ignoring the growing heat on his face.
"Hah! You have such a way with words! How come it took us so long to talk like this?" He questions, bringing his hand back to wipe at his tired eyes, cracking them open to see Tomioka's soft face, studying Rengoku's movements. Tomioka shrugs in return, and he get's up, putting his half-empty cup back on the tray, and he wipes at his uniform pants, saying politely.
"Again, thankyou for the hospitality, Rengoku-but I think it'd be in both our best interests for me to retire back to my own estate." He pushes his ponytail back to splay across his shoulders, and Rengoku scrambles to get up, surprised.
"Really, leaving so soon?" He muses, looking a bit defeated even though he keeps his signature smile on. Tomioka hums in return, and he looks down at the cup he left, whispering.
"Sorry for leaving your cup half empty,"
"Half empty? I'd say it's half full."
Tomioka pauses, and he looks up at Rengoku. They stare at each other for a few seconds, before each cracking their own smile, a soft smile-lips barely quirking up, and a toothy grin.
"Hah! I guess this is something to talk about for next time." Rengoku concludes, crossing his arms.
Tomioka's lips quirk up even more and he huffs, a little playfully. "Yes, next time."
Rengoku walks the water hashira out, waving goodbye, but then he pauses and he calls out.
"I've noticed something tonight!"
Tomioka pauses mid-step and he looks back at Rengoku, confused. He tilts his head in a gesture for Rengoku to keep speaking.
"ahem, you've talked more tonight then i've ever heard since we became coworkers, why is that?" He asks, a little bashful as he looks at Tomioka's delicate, yet masculine features.
Tomioka pauses, pushing his bangs to the side gently as he looks around, saying quietly.
"I think it's because, you're very easy to talk to-" he looks back to Rengoku, "does that make sense?" he asks, more to himself.
Rengoku nods and he says, eccentrically, "Yeah-i feel the same way!" He can feel himself flush at his own cheesy words, but if he squints, he swears he can see Tomioka's pale cheeks come to life as well.
There's a pause between them, and Tomioka huffs, turning around to look at the moon, now almost setting behind the array of trees, he sighs and he stares at the moon, whispering.
"The moon is beautiful, isn't it, Rengoku?"
Rengoku flushes even more and he calls out to Tomioka, speaking with a newfound confidence.
"Kyoujurou-call me Kyoujurou."
A beat,
Another one,
And then a chuckle, a soft, fond chuckle.
"Then, call me Giyuu."
Kyoujurou smiles, stepping a bit closer to Giyuu, who seems so, so far.
"Stay with me, for only a little longer!" He says, excitedly.
Giyuu looks towards the ground, bangs covering his shy smile as he walks back towards Kyoujurou. He finally looks up when he's directly in front of the flame hashira, he says, lowly.
"What next?" He whispers, in a gentle tone, his skin glowing in the setting rays of the late moon.
Kyoujurou huffs, and he looks to the side.
"You're much more beautiful tonight then even the moon."
He grabs onto Giyuu's hand, warm meeting cool, making a lukewarm fondness settling in between them, and they walk back to Kyoujurou's estate.