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Obanai found himself cutting corners sharply, taking the staircase at the old manor two at a time, and sidestepping slayers no longer nameless to him, whom despite his rush he'd made sure to acknowledge and if their own time permitted it, strike up a short conversation. They seemed surprised by this sudden change in attitude, Obanai's soul only ached in bitterness and remembrance. These men and women, children essentially were all gone. They'd died, some long before the final sunrise he never got to witness but many, too many had died in front of him, shielding him and his fellow Hashira with their precious lives. They'd died, to give them seconds. Full lives lost, for seconds. If he could only fold them all up in a blanket, hide them in the basement of the estate and cover them in wisteria so Muzan could never lay hands on them. If only.
Petting Kaburamaru with a jittery finger, he crossed the threshold of the separate floor pattern; the third floor of the mansion was rather unusually designed and he made his way to find Giyu before the pillar could once again slip away and vanish into another month long mission. Since their last encounter, he’d made it a point to check in on the water pillar more frequently, though Giyu’s aloofness often made it feel like pulling teeth.
He spotted him just as the other man was slipping out a side door, and quickened his pace. “Tomioka,” he called, causing the other to stiffen slightly but not stop. “Where are you going?” he demanded, his tone bland if not mildly accusing.
Giyu paused, his back still to Obanai. “Why do you care?” he asked quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.
The snake pillar found himself rolling his eyes at the response, stepping closer. Why did Giyu always pick being difficult. It was like he didn't understand he'd never get away from him. “Because you’re clearly trying to avoid everyone. Again. And I’m not letting that happen.”
Back ramrod straight now, Obanai observed how the other pillar tilted forward, almost as if he was contemplating his chances if he did decide to run away but in the end he turned slowly, his eyes narrowing. “I don’t see why it’s your business. I heard Shinazugawa-san was back. Shouldn't you be with him?”
Obanai smirked, ignoring the pointedness in Giyu’s tone. Cute, Giyu was trying to be mean. If only the other knew he could only accomplish that when he wasn't trying at all. “Sanemi and I are going out to eat,” he answered casually, sidling up next to him. “And you’re coming with us.” Sanemi would not like this of course, but Obanai had decided long away what Sanemi or Giyu wanted was none of his concern. This would be done by force and he was not taking requests.
Giyu blinked, clearly taken aback. “I don’t want to intrude,” he muttered, foot moving a half step in the direction of freedom.
“Too bad,” Obanai replied, reaching up to gently lift Kaburamaru from his shoulders. “Besides,” he added, placing the snake around Giyu’s neck with a deliberate slowness, “Kaburamaru thinks you need to be around people more. It's good for you.”
Giyu stiffened, eyes widening as the snake coiled comfortably around him. “Iguro-san,” he began, his voice slightly strained, “I don’t—”
“Relax,” Obanai interrupted, his tone laced with amusement. “You’re not getting out of this one.”
With that, he threw an arm around the other's shoulders, tightening his grip just enough to prevent any attempt at escape. Giyu’s discomfort was palpable, but Obanai ignored it, steering him towards the main hall. What was discomfort to meticulously trained comfort anyways. Kaburamaru seemed to agree with the sentiment for he coiled even tighter around Giyu's shoulders, making the other stiffen even more.
“Why are you doing this?” Giyu asked, his voice tense.
“Because I care,” Obanai replied simply, ignoring the mild flush rising up his cheeks at the embarrassing words now too familiar, tumbling out of his mouth. “And because you need it, even if you won’t admit it.”
''Oh.''
''Yes, oh,'' he snapped, pulling the other even closer; making sure idiot Tomioka had to lean down to match his hight because he did not appreciate being observed as a mushy person.
They walked in silence for a few moments, the tension slowly easing as Giyu seemed to accept his fate.
Finally-- ''I suppose I could eat,'' the water pillar muttered. ''I didn't realize I was hungry.''
It was a peace offering, that much was obvious. Obanai's resolve hardened at those whispered words. He wouldn’t let Giyu fall back into his isolation, not when he’d finally started to see a glimmer of change. Not when his skin crawled at the thought of the future. At all the lives. Not when the thought of Oyakata-sama made him want to cry. Not when he could make a difference for Giyu even as his mind screamed he should stop being a coward and talk to Kyojuro already.
Kyojuro…..
He didn't think about him much and never more than a fleeting thought if he did. It was safer that way. The memories of their childhood was enough to keep him moving, he did not need to think of the older version, the one who'd left too soon, too quickly…..
It was strange, Kyojuro. The others he could reasonable, insanely convince himself still lived after his passing. But Kyojuro….
He was a coward yes, but he could live with that just as long as he'd found a way to kill Akaza and make sure the bastard never so much as glanced in the direction of his friend.
Kyojuro,
He wondered if he could try and stab his eyes out and force him into retirement.
Fruits for thoughts for another day.
''Iguro-san?''
''Hm?''
''Are you well?''
He briefly glanced over to the other, who'd unhelpfully broken him out of his spiralling musings; noting the blankness, noting the downward tilt of his mouth, the mild sheen of concern in his eyes.
Tomioka Giyu was so easy to read when one tried.
''Yeah,'' he muttered, squeezing the other's shoulder, tempering down the urge to actually hug him; he was definitely going crazy. ''Yeah, I'm okay.''
''Okay.''
The water pillar didn't say much after that and neither did he.
As they approached the rendezvous point, Sanemi’s figure came into view, leaning casually against the wall. He looked up, his expression shifting from surprise then to annoyance as he spotted Giyu. But there was something else there too. Something Obanai couldn't read quickly enough before it was gone and the scowl was back.
“What’s he doing here?” he demanded, his tone gruff.
Obanai shrugged, keeping his arm firmly around Giyu’s shoulders so his kidnapped victim didn't make a run for it. “I invited him. We all need to eat, don’t we?”
Sanemi grimaced, but there was a hint of that something again in his eyes. “Fine. But he better not ruin my appetite.”
The snake pillar paused. Then blinked slowly. Then tilted his head in awe. ''This is very strange.''
''Shut the fuck up.''
He did not. ''You're taking this surprisingly well.''
Crossing his arms, Sanemi's expression morphed into something that straddled between defensive and mean. ''Do you want me to take it back, bitch. Because I can.''
Giyu sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly in defeat. “I don’t want to cause any trouble,” he muttered.
“You won’t,” Obanai said firmly, giving him what he hoped was a reassuring squeeze. He wasn't used to giving many of those, Giyu being his practice dummy. But from the way the other relaxed a fraction, he was clearly a master at it already. “If Sanemi makes a fuss, we can kick his sorryass out instead.” Giyu tensed up again, did he not get the joke?
Sanemi snorted, pushing off the wall with the shake of his head. ''I hate you and I hope you die in a ditch somewhere.'' With that he stalked off, and pulling the reluctant, now mummified looking water pillar behind him by the wrist, Obanai followed suit.
''When I inevitably die in a ditch, you'll have to cry at least a minute over me in my honour,'' he said easily, following the other's lead out of the manor. Sanemi made a disgusted noise looking back; unable to truly hide his amusement. 'Score one for me,' Obanai thought, self-satisfied. Lightness looked refreshing on his friend, always.
Sanemi's his eyes skimmed disinterestedly over him, likely to show he had not gotten back on his good side that quickly before flickering to Kaburamaru, who was still draped around Giyu's shoulders. Eyebrows furrowing, lips tilting ever so slightly downward, his eyes briefly held steady on the water pillar before his gaze darted away. Obanai noticed this but said nothing, watching Sanemi closely.
“Hey, Maru,” Sanemi said eventually just as they'd made their way through the courtyard, reaching out to lift the snake from Giyu’s shoulders. “Haven’t seen you in a while, buddy.” He gently draped the snake around his own neck, giving Giyu what looked like a brief, knowing glance. 'Wanna hang out with me for a sec.'' The snake made a happy little sound, pressing his face against the wind pillar's cheek and said pillar grinned. ''Thoughts so.''
Giyu visibly relaxed, the tension in his shoulders bleeding out as if reality itself had breathed new life into him now that the snake was removed. It would have felt very insulting if Obanai didn't know keenly how weary people usually where of snakes. He hadn't expected Giyu of all people to not like Kaburamaru though, because, rude. Still, Obanai raised an eyebrow at Sanemi, who shrugged nonchalantly. “What?” he asked, refusing to meet the snake pillar's mismatched eyes, his tone casual. “I missed the little guy.”
Obanai smirked, it was adorable, the subtle gesture. Sanemi really was too kind. It was moments like these that always reminded him of whom had befriended Tomioka first in another lifetime.
They continued walking, the atmosphere between them having gradually lightened. Obanai had let go of Giyu a while ago, making sure to listen for any running footsteps the whole time. Thankfully it looked like the pillar had resigned himself to this impromptu company dinner for he stayed put. Obanai was enjoying himself, quietly basking in his accomplishment when Sanemi rudely decided he did not deserve to.
For----''Have you heard, Rengoku is back.'' Sanemi's words were conversational where he was walking next to him, trying and failing not to sound accusatory. Obanai's heart stuttered and briefly he found that actually yea, he did hate Sanemi too, the bitch.
''Is that so?''
''Yeah,'' Sanemi shrugged, all too casual. ''Just thought you might want to know, seeing as you haven't seen him since you woke up from your coma.''
''Time just haven't permitted it.''
''Uh uh,'' It was so mocking, so juvenile and right in front of Giyu too. Obanai could have strangled him.
''He's been asking for you,'' That was Giyu, making Sanemi glance back at him. The water pillar was trailing slightly behind, and surprise of all surprises, his the wind pillar deliberately seemed to slow his pace until they were walking side by side. Giyu seemed to note it too, for he raised a single eyebrow before turning back to look at Obanai. ''He asked if he did something to hurt you.''
''He did not and I'm not avoiding him.''
''You are.''
Let it never be said Tomioka Giyu was tactful.
“You know,” Sanemi began, his voice loud, his grin predatory as he glanced over at the water pillar, “you’re not as annoying as I remember.”
Giyu blinked, clearly caught off guard. “Thanks?” he said uncertainly.
Sanemi chuckled, a rare sound that made Obanai’s heart both lighten and yet made the urge to impale them both with a blade so so appealing. “Yeah, don’t get used to it.” Then turning to look at Obanai who was still glaring back at them, he winked. Winked! ''Looks like it's too against one Obi, we'll give you till next week to fess up or we're dragging Rengoku to your doorstep.''
We?
Since when was there a we?
And it was the silent nod from Tomioka that sealed his faith.
People loved ganging up on him.
He hated all of them.
All of them. Giyu included, the bitch.
''Whatever,'' he muttered, and when Sanemi's and to lesser extent Giyu's silence grew more pointedly, he sighed. ''Fine, I'll sort it out. Just stay out of it.''
''Deal.''
Sanemi's victorious grin was a cruel reminder his friend was a manipulative lunatic and he should have dropped his ass a long time ago. Giyu's little smile of awkward encouragement however nearly made him clutch his heart and ruffle his hair in fondness so yeah, maybe he ought to shelf his current internal crises before he did something insane. Truly, the things death did to people. He would not recommend it.
They eventually reached a small restaurant tucked away in a quiet corner of the town. Obanai led them inside, choosing a booth near the back and making sure he was squeezed into the darkest corner of it. He never felt too uncomfortable eating with his fellow Hashira as most of them new his history but despite how hard he was trying with Giyu now, the man was still a stranger to him. He wasn't Sanemi or Kyojuro or Mitsuri.... while he could... he rather make it as less visible as he could. His hideous face. The ugly sin he carried with him every waking moment he breathed in this world.
As they settled in, Giyu looked around, uncomfortableness creeping back in even as it was obvious he was trying to hide it.
“Relax,” Obanai said, nudging him. “This is just a meal.”
Giyu’s eyes flickered with uncertainty, but he nodded, his posture loosening slightly yet again. And, 'man,' Obanai thought, sharing a glance with Sanemi. 'being perpetually tense has to be exhausting. I'm exhausted just looking at him.'
The food arrived, and for a while, they ate in silence, Obanai making sure to turn away with each bite; bandages hanging lose but covering his face nonetheless. No one commented on it, he didn't know whether to appreciate that or hate them for it.
Still, Giyu seemed to relax more with each bite, and by the time they were halfway through the meal, he even managed a small smile again. His tiny smiles where so stinking cute. Mitsuri would have loved them. Shinobu too come to think of it. If only Obanai could capture a picture of it. Surely seeing it would increase moral for the entire corps he half mused.
“So,” Sanemi said, leaning forward, “how’s life treating you, Tomioka?”
Nearly choking on his next bite, Obanai held back the coughs wreaking havoc on his oesophagus because curse all demons, he would not be the one to interrupt this delicate, world shattering polite conversation Sanemi had chosen to start with Tomioka of all people
Giyu hesitated, then shrugged. “It’s...fine,” he said quietly. “I’ve been training a lot.”
“Training, huh?'' the wind pillar raised an eyebrow. ''Maybe we should spar sometime. See if you’ve gotten any better.”
Giyu's eyes flickered with something resembling amusement. “Maybe.”
Watching the interaction with a sense of accomplishment after preventing himself from dying in the most embarrassing way possible, Obanai couldn't help but wonder if it was perhaps time to take his proof and reports to Oyakata-sama. Surely the risk while huge, was risk worth taking. If only to protect moments like these.
As they finished their meal and prepared to leave, Obanai reached out, placing a hand on Giyu’s shoulder. He couldn't help it. “We're all demon slayers,” he said quietly. “We should not be strangers, do not hide away.”
“I know,'' Giyu nodded, refusing to meet his eyes. ''Thank you.''
To both their shock, Sanemi clapped Giyu on the back then, a rare, very rare gesture of camaraderie. “Yeah, well, don’t make it weird.”
Obanai chuckled and Giyu shook his head.
How surreal. It hurt in a way, how this could have been their normal if Obanai had only tried harder
Still, on their way back, Kaburamaru slithered from Sanemi’s shoulders back to Obanai’s, the snake’s presence a comforting weight. Obanai glanced at Giyu, who walked a little closer to them now, his steps more sure, his posture less guarded.
And, 'we’re going to be alright,' Obanai thought, feeling a sense of hope settle in his chest. 'We’re going to be just fine.'