Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

December 23rd, 4:27 am.

Giyuu was sat on a log, snow steadily drifted around him in the crisp night air. The moon was full and shone brightly down on the blankets of white on the forest floor.

He sat in silence, eyes half-lidded and turned upwards towards the sky, observing the stars that glittered the night sky.

It wasn’t odd for Sabito to find him out here at night, just looking at the sky, but it was late. A lot later then he usually came out here.

Sabito slowly stepped closer to Giyuu, trying to be as silent as possible. Though it was clearly futile when Giyuu brushed the snow off the side of the log he sat on to make a spot for him.

“How’d you hear me?” Sabito asks, stepping over the log and plopping onto it next to Giyuu. Giyuu stayed silent for a moment, before answering

“You stepped on some leaves” he finally looks over to Sabito with his big round blue eyes. Sabito swears he becomes entranced every time he looks into them. They’re bewitching.

They both focus up on the sky once again, basking in each others company. Just by the way he sat, Sabito could figure out something was bothering him. What, was a different story.

Sabito knew that Giyuu always had a lot on his mind, a lot of things happened in his childhood that he didn’t often speak about, and he didn’t expect that to change tonight, but it was still worth trying.

“I can tell something’s bugging you. Are you ok, ‘Yuu?” Sabito takes his eyes off the deep blue-purple sheet of sky with twinkling stars to look at Giyuu again, raising his hand to let it rest on the other’s shoulder.

Giyuu didn’t even look at Sabito before he spoke “I miss my sister, is all.” He put it plainly, but Sabito knew there were more words he wished to say. That’s something he didn’t like about Giyuu. No matter how much something bothered him, he never said a thing about it. He wished he could be more open, but he knew things like that took time to be comfortable talking about. Sabito was raised to always be open and honest, but he doesn’t know if Giyuu was too.

Sabito frowned, before pulling Giyuu closer to himself and wrapping an arm around his back and to his waist. Giyuu finally turned to look at the other, his face now a bit reddened.

“Yuu, you know you can tell me whatever you’re thinking, right? I love you, I want to help you be ok again. I can’t stand seeing you upset like this, it’s driving me insane” Sabito spoke softly, slowly raising his free hand to cup Giyuu’s cheek with the gentlest touch Giyuu has felt since Tsutako.

Giyuu let his body relax before he even noticed the tears pricking at his eyes. Before he knew it, hot tears were streaming down his face. Sabito gently pulled him closer, Giyuu wrapped his arms around the other’s torso and clung to him like a baby opossum to it’s mother.

Giyuu didn’t even try to speak through his sobs, he just let it all out, wailing as quietly as he could allow himself to.

Sabito held Giyuu close, rubbing circles in the other’s back with his left hand. He could feel Giyuu’s cool skin against his, it only saddened him.

They remained like this for a good 5 minutes, Giyuu’s quiet sobs began to weaken before he was basically just laying against Sabito, sniffling.

Finally, Sabito spoke. “Are you feeling a bit better now?” His voice was so kind, so gentle. Giyuu felt like he didn’t deserve Sabito’s love. Sabito deserved a better boyfriend, someone who wasn’t so stuck in the past.

But nonetheless, he appreciated him. “Yeah..” Giyuu responded a few moments later, his face still buried in his lover’s neck.

“Do you want to talk about it? If not, that’s ok too.” Sabito asks with such a gentle tone. Giyuu felt it’d be a grave wrongdoing to deny him.

“It’s just- I feel like it was my fault that Tsutako-nii died. She was killed while protecting me. She had a life to live, she was about to be married. But it’s because of me she’s gone.” He explains, pulling Sabito impossibly closer to himself.

Sabito frowned more, raising his left hand to run his fingers through Giyuu’s hair. “You should never think that, Giyuu. She gave up her life for you because she loved you. She wanted you to keep living, and that’s what you should do.” Sabito sounded confident despite his soft voice. Like he knew his words were factual.

“She gave up her life so you could keep living. You should honor her bravery and sacrifice by doing everything you can to live up to what she hoped you could be.” Sabito had leaned his head down, now merely whispering in Giyuu’s ear. But to Giyuu, it was like Sabito was some godsent angel here to love him no matter what.

“I know it’s hard to move on, especially when you were so young when she died, but she wanted you to keep living, i know it. So thats what you should do. You keep living and be the best you can. For her.” Sabito left a brief kiss on Giyuu’s jaw, which served well to bring even the smallest smile to Giyuu’s face,

“We should probably get inside, it’s late and we have training to do tomorrow” Sabito relinquished his arms from around Giyuu, who also pulled away. They both stood, smiling softly at each other.

Once at their feet, Sabito pulled Giyuu closer again and pressed his lips to the other’s in a brief but sweet kiss. Giyuu was instantly as red as a rose and his his face in his hands. Sabito only giggled

“I love you, Giyuu” he said before he began making his way back to the house.

Gods, Giyuu loves Sabito so much.

Chapter Text

January 21st, 2:35 PM

Giyuu was currently at the Ubuyashiki estate, a meeting had just concluded and the Hashira were chatting and catching up with each other.

Usually, Giyuu would’ve left by now. But he’d been trying to be more social recently. He’d managed to befriend Kanroji already, so he hoped that maybe by standing around and staying for a bit, or until everyone else left, he’d get a chance to talk to one of his coworkers and maybe gaining another friend.

Kanroji was currently busy talking to a very flustered-looking Iguro and an attentively listening Kocho. So talking to her wasn’t really an option. He didn’t even consider talking to Shinazugawa. He looked like he was in a bad mood, he didn’t want to bother him.

Himejima was currently talking to Tokito, so he didn’t want to interrupt either of them. Uzui and Rengoku were chatting with each other, as they often did. They were close friends.

He didn’t want to interrupt anyone, but he wanted someone to talk to. So instead, he just sat on the gravel and watched everyone converse around him. It’d be ok. He was used to being excluded, so it didn’t bother him much.

Giyuu had nearly dozed off before he blinked his eyes open to the sound of his name. He glances up, his sight meeting Rengoku’s, who stood over him. He held his signature, wide-eyed smile.

“Greetings, Tomioka-san! Tengen and I have come to invite you to eat out with ourselves and Kanroji-san!” He spoke with a booming voice, it almost irritated Giyuu’s ears how loud it was.

He wasn’t all too sure how he should respond. He just got asked to join them for food. For the first time.

Giyuu stammered his words, trying to speak before his brain even fully processed what was said to him.

“I’m- I wouldn’t- want to- er, intrude in your time..” he started, but Uzui stepped closer, extending a hand to help Giyuu to his feet, which he reluctantly accepted and was pulled up.

“Nonsense! We heard from Kanroji that you and her started talking more, so we thought we should invite you to our outing! You wouldn’t be intruding since we personally invited you!” Uzui insisted, placing a firm hand on Giyuu’s shoulder. Tomioka stifled a flinch at the sudden contact, but couldn’t help when his body tensed.

He stayed silent, thinking over things. It couldn’t possible be too bad if he went to eat with them, could it?

Finally, Giyuu spoke.

“Er- sure then, I’ll come.”

Giyuu is currently at his estate. Uzui-san had said that they would all meet up together at 4:30, it was currently 4:07, he has just finished showering and is getting dressed. He didn’t have very many options, he had very few clothes, since he was usually in his uniform and haori.

He searched what little he had and picked out a dark blueish-purple kimono with moon patterns embroidered into it. He put it on, and walked to his bathroom mirror.

Giyuu usually wore minimal amounts of makeup to hide any impurities in his face, such as his eye bags. He also used it to make his face look a little sharper, since he was never able to loose that feminine round shape in his cheeks.

Today, he decided he’d put on a little extra. He wanted to look nice, since he’d be going out with his coworkers. It was unnecessary, maybe, but he still wanted to.

Giyuu went through his routine makeup appliance, and added in a few extra steps. He applied a vaguely reddish lipstick, black eyeliner, and even used the eyeliner to darken the few moles on his face. Sabito always said they made him look prettier.

Finally, he moved on to brushing his hair. He neglected it pretty often, opting to simply tie it up and forget about it. It was a bit of a struggle to brush the knots out, but alas, he succeeded. Giyuu tied his hair up with Tsutako’s old red ribbon she’d given him, tying it in a bow.

And now, he was ready to go. Giyuu exited his estate and began making his way to the place Rengoku had told him to meet up at.

It was now 4:27, he had arrived to see Rengoku-san, Uzui-san, Kanroji-san, and- Iguro and Kocho-san.

He isn’t sure why he didn’t expect that, he really should’ve. He could assume that Kanroji-san is who invited them. Wherever she goes, they usually follow. Especially Iguro-san. That boy was head over heels for Kanroji-san and it was painfully obvious to everyone except Kanroji.

“Tomioka! You made it in time!” Uzui is who spoke first, approaching him and giving him a firm smack on the back.

Giyuu nearly flopped straight on his face, but managed to stabilize his footing. He blinks, then follows Uzui to the others.

Giyuu slowly raised his hand to wave hello to the others, Kanroji excitedly approached him and gripped him in a hug so tight he thought he might split in two. All while Iguro and Kocho stared at him. Iguro was fuming, looking like he might actually split Giyuu in two, while Kocho held her familiar blank smile. It was unnerving.

“I’m so glad you came!!! And you look so pretty!” She slung her arm around his shoulders and began pulling him along, everyone else following along.

The walk was nice.. ish. If you overlooked both Iguro and Kocho making backhanded comments to Giyuu, Kocho’s almost constant poking (literal), and Iguro’s repeated glaring and obvious scowl (that he only wore when Kanroji wasn’t looking).

“Come on Tomioka-san, why must you be so quiet? Y’know, this is probably why nobody ever invites you anywhere, you ignore them!” Kocho spoke with an even tone despite how obviously hostile her words were. It was starting to actually get to Giyuu.

Tomioka raised his hands and started fiddling with his kimono, trying his best to ignore Kocho. It was a bit hard when Iguro was on his other side.

“Yeah, she’s right. Why don’t you answer her? Do you think you’re better than us or something? That we don’t even deserve a response?” Iguro shouldered Tomioka just hard enough that he stumbled and nearly fell- again. This time, Rengoku had been there to catch him.

“Iguro-san, Kocho-san, I believe Tomioka is uncomfortable with your comments! I’d appreciate it if you’d allow him his own space to walk! He does not owe you a response, especially when you’ve done nothing but pester him constantly!” Rengoku spoke with his usual loud tone, and usually it would serve only to hurt Giyuu’s ears with just how loud he was, though he couldn’t help but appreciate him.

“My my.. I apologize, Rengoku-san! We will leave him alone” Kocho did not change her expression, but was clearly a bit irritated. Iguro, on the other hand, was very obvious. He grumbled something, raising a hand to offhandedly pet Kabarumaru, who seemed to be pleased with it.

“Tomioka-san, I apologize for those two’s behavior. You can walk next to me so I can assure they will not bother you anymore!” Rengoku offers, and Tomioka didn’t seem to notice when his chest felt warm.

“T-thank you..” he muttered and absentmindedly raised his hand, lightly grabbing Rengoku’s shirt sleeve like a nervous child. To be fair, he felt like a nervous child right now.

They’d been walking for about 15 minutes, and were now arriving at the restaurant. He wasn’t really sure what kind it was, he wasn’t paying attention enough to see and didn’t want to ask, but they seemed to serve a variety of foods.

They all got themselves seated at a 6-person table. Rengoku sat in the middle of one side, Uzui on his left and Giyuu on his right. On the opposite side of the table, Kanroji sat in the middle with Kocho at her left and Iguro at her right. At least he wasn’t across from Iguro.

A few menus were given to each person at the table. Giyuu looked through it, subconsciously searching for the cheapest items. It was instinctive at this point. Even if he had plenty enough money to buy whatever he wanted, he always got what was cheapest.

Eventually, he decided on a small bowl of chicken ramen, it was about 1400 Yen.

A waitress came around, she had long black hair tied in a bun. “Are we all ready to order?” She questions, holding her notepad and pen.

Giyuu was last to order and had to repeat himself because of how quiet he was. He didn’t mind much, it just made him a little extra nervous (as if he wasn’t already incredibly nervous.)

Giyuu went silent again once the waitress had departed, the others’ chatter continued, until Uzui turned to him.

“Are you sure such a small bowl will be enough for ya? It’s been awhile, few hours since the meeting. Even if you ate before it started, you’d surely be pretty hungry by now” Uzui voices his concern to Giyuu, who blinked before he responded.

“I’m not the one paying, so it’d be impolite to order something that costs too much-“ He’s suddenly interrupted by Rengoku

“Nonsense! I invited you with the intention of paying for you meal! You are still young, even if you are an adult, and need plenty of food to grow! It is completely OK to order yourself a larger meal and in all honesty i’d prefer if you did so I am assured you are eating a healthy amount!”

Rengoku spoke loudly, as he usually did. Giyuu couldn’t help but go red at the sincerity in his tone. Kyojuro was genuinely worried for him.

Giyuu didn’t seem to notice how his expression softened and how a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. It either wasn’t obvious to anyone else, or nobody decided to say anything.

Rengoku then flagged down another waitress and had Giyuu order himself a 2nd bowl of ramen, a bigger one this time. Giyuu still felt a bit bad, even if he was reassured it was ok, and ended up settling on something still relatively inexpensive.

The group fell back into idle chatter, Giyuu was both thankful and a little sad that nobody really said anything to him. On one hand, he was glad he wasn’t being spoken to, it let him sit peacefully and simply listen. On the other hand, he wished they would, he wished they’d think about including him in their conversations, even if he couldn’t provide much to it.

Kocho must’ve picked up on his inner conflict when she started poking at him from across the table

“Tomioka-san, Tomioka-san!” Kocho repeated, continuing to poke him until Giyuu finally looked over to her.

“Tomioka-san, why don’t you talk? You know, initiating conversation might make you more likable!” She insisted, still prodding at his arm.

Giyuu sucked in a breath and glanced away from her, only to notice Iguro had his eyes on him in a harsh glare. He didn’t think too much into it.

Until, Iguro spoke, pretty loudly.

“Why don’t you answer her, you emotionless freak! She’s trying to give you advice so that not everybody that has the displeasure of meeting you ends up hating you like everybody else in your life does!” Iguro stood and spoke with such malice and hatred in his voice that the friendly vibe of the whole restaurant suddenly became thick with tension.

Immediately, Rengoku stood. “Iguro Obanai, please retake your seat! If you and Kocho are unable to chat peacefully with Tomioka I will not be allowing you to join us in our outings again! This is your final warning to leave Tomioka be! You are a Hashira and an adult, it is pitiful that you are unable to hold your tongue, especially in a public space where other people are trying to enjoy their evenings!”

Iguro stared at him for a few moments, before reluctantly slumping back into his seat and looking away.

Kanroji had stiffened in her seat and was frowning while looking at Iguro with an expression of disappointment. When Iguro noticed, he looked near heartbroken.

Rengoku followed suit and retook his seat, looking to Giyuu.

“Are you alright, Tomioka-san?” He asks, his voice was softened to a point Giyuu never knew was possible.

The way Rengoku looked at him with such a soft smile, eyes filled with tender care, and a voice so sincere he very well might melt into a puddle of tears. He couldn’t help it when his body felt like it was in a hot bath, like his tense and aching muscles were being tenderly massaged, he was so relaxed that he might just lean into Rengoku and disappear into him forever.

Giyuu gave Rengoku a slow nod, it took all his will to force the tears back. He didn’t want to cry in front of Kyojuro. If he did, he wasn’t sure if he would be able to stop.

Rengoku returned his nod and turned his attention to the waitress who had arrived with their food.

Giyuu remained silent after that. The sudden euphoric feeling he felt when looking into Rengoku’s eyes had been washed away by a wave of guilt.

He should’ve stood up to Iguro instead of letting someone else doing it for him. He should’ve answered Kocho instead of just looking away because it made him a little uncomfortable. He shouldn’t have come at all. All he’s done is make issues for the others.

Giyuu picked up his chopsticks and dipped them into the ramen, taking a few noodles up to cool.

He shouldn’t have even let Uzui and Rengoku persuade him into coming. He’s better off staying home and not intruding in the other Hashira’s days and ruining it. He’s already caused issued for Iguro and Kocho when all he wanted to do was try to actually make friends. Gods, why is he so useless?

Giyuu takes the noodles to his mouth, they burn his tongue. He doesn’t mind it though.

He made Kanroji upset at Iguro. He should’ve just answered Kocho, if he did, Iguro wouldn’t have gotten upset at him, and Kanroji wouldn’t be disappointed with Iguro. He’s ruining everything. He’s just putting a stick between the other’s by being here.

“-ioka?” Giyuu can barely hear a thing. Is that Uzui’s voice?

Why couldn’t he just answer Kocho? She asked him a simple question. Sure, she made a comment directly after before he got the chance to say anything, but he could’ve just ignored it and answered her instead of being such a cowardly idiot and ignoring her.

Giyuu doesn’t notice the tears threatening to spill from his eyes.

He shouldn’t be here. He should leave. He doesn’t deserve to sit with the other Hashira- he’s not worthy of being called a Hashira- he’s not worthy of such a meaningful and respected title. It should’ve been Sabito, not him. He didn’t even pass Final Selection. It should’ve been Sabito.

Giyuu pulled more noodles to his mouth, they were a little cooler, but still burnt his tongue.

No matter how hard he’s tried, he never changed. He couldn’t defend himself in Final Selection from demons, and he couldn’t defend himself against his coworker Iguro. Iguro was right. He’s just an emotionless freak. He doesn’t deserve sympathy.

Giyuu doesn’t notice the tears falling into his bowl, nor the hand on his shoulder.

Giyuu couldn’t even protect his sister from that demon. She died protecting him. Sabito died protecting him. Everyone he loves keeps dying protecting him-

“Tomioka!” Rengoku shakes Giyuu until he finally blinks and turns to look at the flame Hashira, only now noticing how wet his face was.

“Tomioka, are you ok? You’re crying!” He said with such concern that it hurt Giyuu’s heart to hear him like that.

Giyuu forced air into his lungs. “I-i’m fine. I’m- yeah.”

Giyuu started noticing a few more things. For one, he was trembling, two, Everyone at the table was staring at him, three, he spilled noodles on himself and the table. Had he spiraled that much in such a short period of time? Gods. He really is useless.

Giyuu glanced up momentarily at Iguro, who looked.. distraught.

He wasn’t sure if it was because of what Rengoku told him, or because he’d started crying. He was going to assume it was because of Rengoku. Iguro would never look like that over something he did.

Giyuu slowly stood “I-i’ll be back- I need- I need to use the restroom.” He spoke briefly before cleaning the table just enough and heading with a quick pace to the washroom.

He quickly stepped into a stall and locked it behind him, clamping his right hand over his mouth in a poor attempt to silence his sobs.

No matter the effort he put in to calming himself, he couldn’t get his tears to stop flowing. He felt so stupid, so sensitive and overdramatic. He shouldn’t be crying because he was yelled at. He’s a Hashira. He should be able to handle these things. But he can’t. He’s so damn weak.

Giyuu brings his left hand to his hair and grabs a fistful of it, tugging at it to make himself stop crying. It did little to help.

Eventually he stood and exited the stall, tears still rolling down his cheeks, he went to one of the sinks and turned it on, splashing water into his face. Only then did the cold water against his burning hot skin pull him out of his thoughts.

Once he had calmed himself enough to stop crying, he dried his face and started focusing on his breathing. He leaned against the wall to ground himself, eyes closed as all he did was breath.

Finally, he felt calmed enough to return to the table. He exits the bathroom and notices-

He’d gone into the women’s room on instinct.

He feels like he might just spiral again because of that.

But he’s dragged away from his thoughts before he can even fully process

“Tomioka-san! Are you alright now?” Asks Rengoku, who he didn’t notice was standing outside of the bathrooms. Was he waiting for him?

Giyuu inhales slowly. “Y-yeah.. I’m fine now.” He responds, hoping it reassured the other. Rengoku’s smile didn’t falter, he reached his hand to offer it to Giyuu, who hesitantly accepted it. Rengoku then pulled Giyuu (gently) back to the table and they retook their seats.

Rengoku didn’t really give him a chance to think about what had just happened, and he was internally thankful for it. This time around, Rengoku included him in his conversation, even when he had little to contribute to it. It kept his mind off the things that would’ve sent him sobbing again.

It didn’t take long for everyone to finish their food. Except for Giyuu. He was so focused on paying attention to Rengoku talking that he barely continued eating since his breakdown. He still had half his bowl left.

“My my Tomioka-san, you still haven’t finished eating? We all have already!” Kocho leans over and pokes at Giyuu’s arm. Rengoku immediately swiveled his head around to stare at her.

Some silent words were exchanged between the Insect and Flame Hashira. It was clear that Rengoku wasn’t going to let Kocho try to provoke Giyuu again.

“There is no need to point it out, Kocho! We all eat at our own pace, and it is partially my fault since I keep talking to him!” Rengoku finally broke the silence, before he waved over a waiter.

“What can I do for you dear?” Asks the man. Rengoku clears his throat “I’d like another medium-sized bowl of spicy chicken ramen!” Rengoku requests, then glances at Kanroji.

“I want another one too, please!” She spoke up. She’d had about 4 bowls of ramen so far, so this would be her 5th. Giyuu wished he had the willpower to eat that much. Maybe then, he wouldn’t be so thin.

Aside from that, Giyuu felt a warmth stirring in his stomach. He couldn’t help but feel welcomed. Rengoku was trying his hardest to make Giyuu feel comfortable around them, even going as far as to scold Iguro and stop Kocho from pestering him like she usually does.

Giyuu picked up his chopsticks and began eating after the two new bowls of ramen were brought out.

Everyone had now finished their meals and were heading their separate ways. Giyuu wasn’t far from his estate, Rengoku was walking him there.

Giyuu took the initiative this time.

“Thank you for inviting me out to eat, and thank you for speaking up for me..” He spoke louder than he usually did. He knew Rengoku was hard of hearing. He wanted him to hear him clearly.

Rengoku smiled wider “It’s my pleasure, Tomioka-san! I would’ve done it for anyone, and they were being unreasonably hostile!” He states, placing his right hand between Giyuu’s shoulder-blades.

They now stood outside of the Water Estate. Giyuu couldn’t help but smile at Rengoku.

“I’ll be off now, Tomioka! Have a wonderful evening! I’d love for you to come out and eat with us again soon!” Rengoku began walking away from the estate, and Giyuu waved his goodbye.

Once Rengoku has walked out of sight, Giyuu turns and enters his estate. The stark contrast of visual stimuli in that restaurant and even the walk here, to the inside his house was.. sad.

His walls were bare, save for a few drawings made by his friends Nezuko and Tanjiro, he had no pictures of any family, no decor, the floor was solid wood with no carpets or rugs, he had a few lights on the ceiling, and nothing else. His house was pretty much empty.

He exhaled slowly and made his way to his bedroom, picking out a shirt and shorts. He was mentally exhausted after today and just wanted to rest.

Giyuu thought back over the day, remembering everything that happened. Just to draw out the little happiness he felt when he was with Rengoku.

Speaking of Rengoku, now that he thought of it, he was acting a bit strange around the Flame Hashira.

He wasn’t quite sure yet why, but he had been strangely clingy and comfortable with Rengoku today. Sure, it could’ve been because Rengoku was genuinely considerate and defended him, but something about it was.. scarily familiar.

Giyuu had now changed and was exiting his bathroom to his bedroom, wracking his brain to understand what about it reminded him of something..

And then it hit him.

He acted this way with Sabito when they first met.

Sabito, his boyfriend. He acted like that when he had a crush on him.

And if he connected the dots, it told him..

He had fallen for Kyojuro.

Giyuu stiffens in place, eyes widening.

No.

No this can’t be true.

He can’t like anybody like that. He can’t betray Sabito like that.

Even if Sabito was gone, he would never let go. He would never give him up. They’re still together, even if Sabito is gone.

He can’t mentally handle giving up on Sabito. He’s still his boyfriend even if he’s gone. He’ll never give Sabito up.

Giyuu collapses onto his bed, gripping his sheets tightly in his hands. He will Not betray Sabito. They’re still together and they will be until Giyuu can finally be with him in the afterlife.

He needs to atone for this sin he’s commit. He’s fallen for another man while still with Sabito. He’s an awful sinner.

“S-sabito.. I- I’m- s-so s-sorr-rry..” he chokes out, tears welling in his eyes as he heaves for air. He feels like he’s on fire and trapped in ice, his lungs didn’t want to work, and his legs betrayed him and planted themselves into the ground. This was all too much for him.

Giyuu wailed out a sob, wobbly prayers and apologies escaping through his gasps for air, asking, no- begging Sabito for forgiveness.

By now, his pillow was dampened with tears, his hands hurt from gripping the bedding so tightly. Giyuu raises a hand and slammed it back into the blankets he laid on. He’s such an awful cheater. He shouldn’t feel this way about another. He can’t believe himself.

No matter what, Giyuu will right his wrongs. He will atone for this mistake he’s brought upon himself. He will never even look at the Flame Hashira again if it means Sabito’s forgiveness for his sin.

Yeah. He’ll avoid Kyojuro. If it means he can shove the feelings he has for him into a tight little box and never look at it again.

He’ll right his wrongs. He’ll be a better partner to Sabito. He’ll wait for his own demise to be back with his beloved. To be happy again.

He will be good.