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To say Sanemi was angry was an understatement; he had been assigned a mission by the Master to hunt down a demon that’s been kidnapping people to a nearby abandoned town. That wasn’t the problem though… The problem was that the Master insisted Sanemi bring Genya along with him.
Sanemi had pleaded, begged even to send anyone else with him, but his pleas fell on deaf ears. Now here he was, Genya following behind him like a lost puppy as they traveled. He needed to finish the mission up quickly, and get away from Genya before anything bad happened.
The journey to the village was agonizingly awkward and quiet, Sanemi shutting down any attempts at conversation, Genya eventually getting the hint and giving up any future attempts to talk.
Upon reaching the quiet village, the two split up to ask for any information. Sanemi knew one of the best places to get answers was the market. For a small village, the place was still bustling with activity. Vendors and villagers moving about the crowded street, the smell of freshly cooked foods, and the ever constant conversations happening all around him.
It was usually overwhelming with everything going on, but Sanemi was strangely content. Today this felt familiar… almost like home when he’d take Genya to the market with whatever money they’d scraped together. How he’d make sure Genya always got the bigger piece and- stop . Sanemi needed desperately to get this mission with Genya finished. It was starting to get to him. Heaving a frustrated sigh, he headed for the first vender along the strip.
Genya on the other hand chose to avoid the crowds, heading for where the small quaint homes rested on the outer edges of the village. It was comfortable, almost familiar as he watched the children playing in the streets. They reminded him of how Sanemi used to pull Genya with him to go play with the other kids in the village. Before things between them had fallen so horribly apart.
Shaking the thoughts from his mind, Genya knew he needed to stay focused. If he showed Sanemi he was useful then maybe they could fix things. This mission had to be perfect.
Their search went on for a few hours, and from what they gathered, the demon stole villagers and brought them to a nearby abandoned village to eat unbothered. The only survivor described looking into the demon’s eyes and seeing their worst moments.
“Don’t look it in the eyes… good to know.” Genya sighed, looking over to see Sanemi leaving without a word. This was going to be a long mission .
By the time they reached the abandoned town the sun had set, the village had been abandoned after a fire had ripped through the town. Making matters worse, the fire had drawn the attention of the demon, making the space too dangerous to attempt to rebuild. Now only the husks of homes and stores remained, the two trekking along the old quiet streets.
It was Genya who finally broke the silence, turning to Sanemi. “So Nem- Sanemi… We could split up and search the town. Try to find the demon as quickly as we can.”
Sanemi shot an annoyed look at him in response, “If you want to get yourself killed, do it when someone else is responsible for you.” He eyed Genya as he visibly deflated at that, quickly turning his back to his brother. “If you want to be an idiot and split up, fine . But you only patrol where I tell you. Nowhere else, and if you find anything you run . Do not engage, got it?”
Staring his brother down, Genya had half a mind to argue, and insist that he could help more than he knew Sanemi would allow him. “ He doesn’t want you to engage because he knows you’ll just get in the way. ”
The silence stretched on before Genya finally replied. “Fine…”
That got a glare from Sanemi. “No. Say it . Say you won’t fight anything on your own.”
The two brothers glared at each other a moment before Genya bit the inside of his cheek, “I… won’t fight anything without you…”
Sanemi’s eyes searched his brother’s face a moment before nodding and turning away once more. “Take the main road. Don’t go down any alleys. Walk the damn thing back and forth if you have to.” Not leaving any room for argument, he left Genya at that.
Genya wanted to believe Sanemi was just trying to keep him safe, but deep down he knew it was because he saw his brother as a liability. He had no skills and would only drag his brother down. He could disappear tomorrow and Sanemi would probably be relieved to have the burden gone.
————————————————
The next couple hours brought them nothing. The streets were dark and quiet and there hadn’t been a single sound that told them there even was a demon here. Genya had been walking the main street to appease his brother, but he was going insane .
He had caught glimpses of Sanemi a couple of times. No doubt checking in to make sure Genya hadn’t somehow ruined his plan or gotten himself killed.
It had been maybe ten minutes since he last saw Sanemi when he noticed something moving out of the corner of his eye in an alley the moon light couldn’t seem to reach. Huffing in annoyance, Genya griped. “I’m not leaving the road, Sanemi. You can-“
A snarl behind him sent a shiver up his spine. Oh that wasn’t Sanemi . Genya snatched his gun from his belt and whirled around, frowning as he found himself aiming at nothing.
Confusion quickly shifted into fear as he realized this was likely the demon they were looking for, and he had no idea where it was but it definitely knew where he was.
‘If you find anything, run. Don’t engage.’ His brother’s words rang through his head. Genya knew he should do as he was told, but if he could kill this demon on his own… maybe Sanemi would be impressed. Maybe this could be what he needed to start mending their shattered relationship.
Shifting his grip on his gun, Genya turned towards the alleyway he had seen the shadow move. “Alright, you bastard. Come out and fight.”
————————————————
Sanemi's heart was beating out of his chest. “ That fucking idiot, I told him not to engage if he ran into anything.” Two gunshots had broken the silence of the night, Sanemi not hesitating to turn on his heel and run for the source.
As Sanemi headed through the alleyways he heard another gunshot go off, Sanemi cursing under his breath. Skidding around the next corner, Sanemi was immediately hit with the smell of blood.
The dirt of the main road was stained with blood, scattered around in various patches. Though one was significantly larger than the others, and the size of the blood pool made Sanemi feel sick. But, there was no body in sight and no Genya.
Faintly he hears an animalistic shriek, drenched in rage, soon followed by another, deeper, raspy one. But there’s pain in this shriek, and the sound has Sanemi’s feet moving instantly.
It’s a sound Sanemi knows better than anything in the whole world, a voice he could pick out of any crowd in a second. Genya . He can’t help as a fearful call of his brother’s name rips from his chest, now running wildly towards the source of the shrieks. Praying to whatever God will listen to keep his brother safe.
Sanemi runs through the old town, checking every alleyway he passes before another scream has him turning down the next alley. Upon reaching the end of it he finally catches sight of them, seeing Genya on the ground, pinned underneath a hulking demon.
The demon looks more animal than human. Covered in ashen skin with charcoal black hands and feet, black lines spreading up along its arms and legs like cracking wood. Jagged wings stretching from its arms with sharp claws at the tips while large ears rest on top of its head. The massive fangs that protrude from its mouth and face shape resemble that of a bat-like creature.
One thing Sanemi is quick to notice is that this thing is attacking Genya with its eyes closed. The survivor mentioned the creature using its eyes to catch villagers, so why were they closed? A curse from Genya draws Sanemi from his thoughts, Sanemi drawing his blade as he runs to help his brother.
Genya struggles to keep his grip on the creature’s furred head, teeth snapping inches from his face as drool splatters down on him. The demon manages to shift its weight and slash at Genya with its clawed nail, Genya taking advantage of the skin near his mouth and snapping down with his own teeth.
A high pitched screech rips through the night as the demon tears its arm away, Genya's teeth ripping flesh from its arm. He's quick to swallow, biting back a grimace from the almost rotted taste before he kicks the demon off of him. As soon as the demon is off of him, Sanemi is dashing forward to fight, angrily yelling.
It takes a moment for Genya to get to his feet, finally feeling the effects of the demon's flesh coursing through his body, cuts knitting back together and strength returning. That faint itch of hunger quietly drumming in the back of his mind.
"Genya, look out!" Sanemi calls as the demon whirls around to attempt another attack on Genya.
It lunges straight into his face, eyes snapping open to reveal grotesque bulging eyes. A moment is all it takes for it to grip a hold of Genya. Bright oranges and yellows shift like fire across a field of blood red, pupils pulsating, boring into his heart and soul, picking Genya apart to his very core.
The feeling of claws ghosting along his mind and chest, ripping apart the already fragile walls he’d hidden his deepest fears and regrets behind.
It’s faint for only a moment before memories scream into his mind.
Kyogo, stop! You’re hurting him!
Put pressure on your wounds!
You murderer!
Genya's eyes widen as voices and memories echo across his mind. His head pounds with the sound of his own heart, bile threatening to violently explode from his mouth. That familiar hunger tickles the back of his brain, growing larger by the second. Vision blurring, legs weakening, he lets out a scream as he drops to his knees. Then the world went black.
Sanemi curses under his breath, watching his brother drop as he slashes at the demon, "Get the hell away from him!"
The demon hisses as Sanemi's sword cleaves off its arm, the demon retaliating as it rakes its claws along Sanemi's chest with its remaining arm. This demon wasn’t difficult but Sanemi was distracted, Genya needed him. Ignoring the pain, Sanemi lunges forward with his sword, not allowing the demon to recover from the loss of its arm. Swinging his sword once more, Sanemi finds his mark, cleaving the demon's head clean off.
He doesn't even watch the body fade away, turning immediately on his heel to run to Genya. Dropping to his knees beside him, Sanemi's hands shift to look him over, quickly freezing as he hears a low snarl coming from his quivering baby brother.
The trembles rumbling through Genya’s body grow more and more violent by the second until it almost seems as though he’s seizing. The way his body curls into a tight ball though making that thought unlikely.
Damnit. Sanemi hadn’t been able to see what damage the demon had done to Genya when it had broken free from him. He’d hoped it was minimal, but by the scream and the way his baby brother isn’t responding, he fears the worst. Is his throat ripped out? Are his intestines spilling from his stomach? Every worse case scenario comes rushing into Sanemi’s mind as he watches Genya continue to tremble.
“Genya. Baby?” The old term of endearment slips from his mouth before he can think to stop it, scrambling to his baby brother. His hands hover over Genya’s shoulder, almost fearful to touch and possibly hurt him.
“Nemi’s here.” He whispers, carefully resting his hand on the boy. “Nemi can fix it, but you have to tell me what’s wrong.”
The lack of response sends alarms off in Sanemi’s mind, listening to the sharp breaths and choked sounds coming from his baby brother. Genya needs to get to the butterfly mansion, now .
Calmly shushing him, Sanemi speaks up once again. “Nemi’s going to pick you up now-”
Without warning, Sanemi catches sight of a flash of teeth before pain erupts in his shoulder. Teeth dig deeply into flesh, Sanemi crying out in startled pain as he then instinctively kicks Genya away.
Gripping at a wound now seeping blood, Sanemi stares at his brother, Genya glaring back with angry black-gold eyes. Sanemi spots the way blood and drool drip off Genya’s chin.
“G-Gen?”
The low growl from his brother claws at his nerves, causing Sanemi to shuffle back a bit. He had heard before from Gyomei that Genya had once lost control of himself, but Sanemi had been too stubborn and foolish to listen to how he’d pulled him back to his senses.
Sanemi was going to have to figure this out on his own, and fast. Looking at how Genya was practically snarling at him, that wouldn’t be easy.
Large, daunting teeth protrude from Genya’s mouth as drool mixed with blood, his blood, leaked down his brother’s chin and neck.
Scampering to his feet, Sanemi stayed crouched, hand resting on the quickly growing stretch of red that decorated his white haori. He can see the way Genya’s eyes flick around, assessing the situation for any danger, any weakness.
“Genya,” Sanemi raises his hands non-threateningly, keeping his voice low and soft.
“It’s just me, it’s just Nemi. You know me, right baby?” But Genya… doesn’t seem to know him. There was no recognition in those dark eyes, only a feral hunger and anger. Something that seemed so wrong on a face that was usually so gentle.
Genya’s jaw snapped with an audible clack . Snapping to his feet — and shit . Genya seemed fast , surprising even Sanemi with his speed. No matter, Sanemi was fast too, injury or not he knew he could match any demon in speed.
He blitz’s up, ignoring the shoulder in his pain from it, it’ll undeniably leave a mark; Genya’s sharp teeth had penetrated deeply.
With each step he takes forward, Genya takes one back. He matches Sanemi’s movements to the inch, almost like he’s predicting how Sanemi will move before he does.
“Please.” Sanemi pleads. “Just let Nemi come to you.”
Genya's eyes look Sanemi over a moment before landing on his shoulder, watching the blood as it seeps more into Sanemi's clothes, another wave of drool leaking past his lips. Sanemi taking another step forward snaps Genya out of his trance, quickly shifting back.
“It’s alright, baby. I’m not gonna hurt you.” Sanemi calmly coos, taking another step forward, keeping his hands up and away from his sword. “I just want to take you back with me. Can you let Nemi do that?”
There’s a brief moment of hesitation in Genya’s eyes. Good news, this seems to be working. Bad news, Sanemi was starting to feel light headed. He had to get Genya back to his senses, and if he couldn’t…
Shaking those thoughts from his mind, Sanemi made one more push. “Baby, let nemi fix this. If you let me fix this, I’ll take you back to the Wind estate… you can live with me there.
Legs starting to tremble, Sanemi pleads. “I’ll make sure nothing else ever happens to you again, ok? Just… Please come with me.”
More and more cognition bursts to light in Genya’s gold-black eyes. “N-Nemi?” He rasps, stuttering over his own teeth and drool.
And finally, finally after years of pain and tears he gets what he’s been searching for — that soft, happy smile . A true smile from Nemi that Genya hasn’t seen since they were children, a smile that was reserved only for Genya.
“ Yes, it’s me.” The relief audibly drips out with his words, Sanemi stepping closer, silently thanking the gods that Genya doesn’t take one back in response. But as soon as this relief washes over him, a new problem arises.
Genya’s eyes lock onto the bite wound, gentle features twisting in horror. A hand shifts to cover his mouth and nose, unable to stop another wave of drool that leaks past his teeth and lips. Chin dripping once more with drool he can’t stop, clawed hands fly to his head to tug at his hair in frustration.
“ Nnngh… No no no…” He whimpers, voice thick with tears. “Get away. Get away .”
Sanemi’s head whips to his shoulder. Realizing that his blood has more than a simple effect on Genya — and he doesn’t know if it’s good or not. Most demons would be sent into a drunken stupor, but Genya seems to be fighting a feral need to feed on it.
Shit. How the hell was he going to get them both out of this? His own heavy breaths draw him out of his thoughts. Why the hell was it suddenly so hard to breathe, and his body felt like it was starting to stiffen . Now wasn’t the time to worry about that though, Genya needed him.
Sanemi shrugs his haori off, using his teeth to tear the fabric into smaller pieces. He starts to wrap up his shoulder in an attempt to stop the blood for both their sakes. Shifting his gaze up, Sanemi sees Genya hasn’t moved, claws starting to dig into skin. Little trails of blood running along his head, some mixing with his hair.
“Alright, Gen. You think you can walk with me to the Butterfly mansion?” Sanemi calmly questions, taking a curious step forward.
Genya is quick to shake his head, claws tightening even more on his own skull, drawing more blood. “H-Hurt, Nemi.”
Sanemi tries to ignore the way Genya’s voice quivers, the thick tears mixed with drool dripping off his chin as he visibly fights to keep himself in place. God, he just wants to wrap Genya in his arms and never let go.
"It's ok, baby. You didn't mean to. I know you'd never hurt me on purpose." Another step forward and his knee buckles, Sanemi barely able to catch himself on shaky legs.
Gasp . Genya ripped his body forward without a thought to help catch Sanemi and lean his elder brother’s weight on himself.
Biting back a groan, Sanemi took to leaning on his brother right away. Genya’s nails are long, and sharp and they are undoubtedly digging into the flesh of his wrist and bicep as Genya throws Sanemi’s arm over his shoulder.
“Good boy,” Sanemi praises, offering a lopsided smile to his little brother. But Genya stares pointedly at the ground, grinding sharp teeth together as he tries to ignore the scent of fresh blood that is far too close now. Far too sweet .
“Okay baby.” Sanemi head lolls into Genya’s. “Straight to the Butterfly mansion… It’s just like last time, remember? When Nemi taught you how to walk? One foot after another, yeah?”
Genya ignores him still, taking note of how Sanemi is visibly weakening by the minute. With a huff he puts out a foot, and waits for Sanemi to do the same.
Sanemi takes a few steps forward with Genya’s help, leaning a lot heavier on his baby brother than he’d ever admit. Had he lost that much blood already? No, this was different. It shouldn’t be this hard to walk let alone breathe.
His steps getting heavier and harder to take, and the black spots creeping along his vision start to send Sanemi’s mind into a frenzy. Don’t pass out. Don’t pass out .
He wasn’t sure if Genya could stay in control of his actions if his brother was out cold. His Nemi or not, those demon instincts were clearly hard to kick down, and his blood wasn’t making it any easier. Had Genya been struggling with this the entire time? Every fight he not only battled demons, but himself too?
A dull pain formed in his chest as Sanemi thought of all the times Genya had to fight through this alone. All those times— Hey, why was the ground moving?
He could feel his knees buckle, and his body slip out of a startled Genya’s grip before everything went black.
Genya wasted no time crouching beside his brother, moving to grab him before freezing up as the sweet smell of Sanemi’s blood reached his nose once more. The hasty wrappings Sanemi had tied to his shoulder had slipped off his wound, revealing the wound once more.
His upper lip curls to expose large glistening fangs. The smell is heady, sweet but not overly so, ripe and powerful.
His eyes drift to his claws, the tips of which are stained red from where they had dug into Sanemi’s flesh just moments before and he nearly doubles over from the sudden wave of hunger that washes over him, stomach clenching and abdomen spasming from the pangs.
His mind drifts to earlier when he’d gotten a taste, how satisfying the blood was and how he’d craved more . He could do it again, just a little bite. He was so so hungry, and this would keep him full for days . When had he last eaten? He couldn’t remember.
The deep red liquid glistens under the moonlight as it starts seeping from the exposed wound. Drool slips down his chin, mixing with the demon blood smeared across his lips. His tongue darts without his permission, tasting the remnants of Sanemi’s blood from when he’d ripped a bite out of his shoulder. Pupils dilating at the sweet, irresistible taste, Genya leans forward, opening eagerly to feast .
“Genya. ” A faint feminine voice calls. The voice is small, and quiet but the gentle tune of it shakes Genya to his core.
Yanking himself upright, Genya’s head whips around, snarling. “Who is that?” Lips curl to flash his teeth once more. Shifting forward, one hand crowds the side of Sanemi’s head, the other placed possessively on his arm, digging into it slightly. His elder brother’s facial features twisting in pain even as he lies passed out.
Genya’s frenzied mind doesn’t know if he’s protecting his brother, or his prey.
“You have to keep him safe, dear.” The voice continues, now suddenly closer, almost as if speaking against his ear. The hair on his neck prickles as he feels a faint breath.
Genya’s head whirls around with a snarl, tensing as he finds nothing there, black-gold eyes searching for the source of the voice.
“Your brother needs you, just like you need him, Genya.” The voice sounds close to tears. Genya’s stomach rumbles again, tears cling to his long eyelashes. He’s just so tired and so hungry .
Torn between hunger and humanity, Genya shifts back to rest on his haunches, staring down at his bloody claws. Instincts telling him to kill, but something that voice said was holding him back.
A shaky breath pulled Genya out of his thoughts, gaze shifting to Sanemi as he stared back. His purple eyes were dazed and unfocused, but there was almost a strange acceptance in them… a sadness too. With how unfocused and half-lidded Sanemi’s eyes were, Genya wasn’t sure if he was fully conscious until he spoke.
“Gen- ya…” The pitiful way Sanemi’s voice cracks tears at Genya’s heart. He did this.
The faint presence returns. Shy and hesitant, it feels sad. The feeling of a hand petting Genya’s hair shocks him, and simultaneously soothes the turmoil that crawls underneath his skin.
“You’ll be okay. He’ll be okay, just as long as he has you, my sweet boy.”
Warm tears fall harder as Genya gasps, curling in on himself. “ Mama. ”
“Genya, S’okay.” Sanemi slurs, fingers barely responding to his commands. They wiggle, fighting against the blood loss and whatever else was hindering his movements, to try and reach Genya.
There’s a piece of Sanemi that rages. He should be better than this, he shouldn’t have let his emotions get in the way — should have petitioned for a different partner. Should have screamed at Genya until he ran away from the corps, from Sanemi .
He always wanted to go out in a blaze of glory, fighting and protecting Genya. But there’s a quieter, more solemn part of him that finds this… peaceful. Even if it’s with his little brother tainted with demon blood, at least he gets to see him in his final moments. Maybe Sanemi’s death will be enough to finally get Genya to leave and lead a peaceful life.
A peaceful life without Sanemi. Untainted by all the sins Sanemi carried like he did his own blood.
Lost in thought, between the pain and haze, he fails to realize the world is moving again. Soft and smudged as his vision blurs, black dancing along the edge as it threatens to engulf him once more. He can feel the wind kissing his scars and face as they? He? moves. Somewhere, they’re going somewhere and as the sound of heavy footsteps on the roadway lull him further into unconsciousness, Sanemi realizes just how tired he is.
————————————————
What comes back first to him is how his body feels both heavy and light at the same time.
His arms and legs feel as though Gyomei is sitting on top of them yet his mind feels almost floaty. Sanemi takes a moment to take in what he can around him. The place he’s in is quiet, the sounds of quiet crickets chirping in the distance, the soft feeling of a blanket draped over his tired body. He then attempts to get his fingers, toes, any part of his body to listen to him and move.
He’s unsure if he laid there trying to move his damn fingers for minutes or hours when he realized something warm was on his right hand. Someone was here with him .
It takes everything in Sanemi to get his hazy brain to focus on the hand, honing in on the feeling, the feeling of someone holding his hand in theirs tight .
“So you think he’ll be ok? His shoulder will be alright?” A quiet, almost defeated voice muttered from his side. Genya…
“He’ll feel some muscle weakness for the next day or so while his body finishes flushing out the venom. Seems to me that it is more potent than we originally thought.”
Shinobu’s eyes drift down to her clipboard, plastic smile unwavering.
“As for the shoulder wound… Well, let’s just say Shinazugawa-san has recovered from worse. You were very close to the subclavian artery and vein and there was significant damage to the upper trapezius-”
She pauses at the wide, terrified look in Genya’s still dark eyes.
“ But the muscle will heal, and with proper therapy, I don’t foresee any major loss in motor function.”
Genya relaxed back into his chair with a heavy sigh. Hearing that was a huge relief. Sanemi would be okay, and Genya would get the chance to apologize for once again screwing everything up.
When he had burst into the Butterfly mansion he was sure he’d arrived too late, it was so unlike Sanemi to be that still and quiet. He was pale, but he’d been too pale and his body was so limp. Genya didn’t think he’d ever get that sight out of his head, he’d have nightmares for weeks.
Shinobu watches the two a moment before he eyes catch the slightest movement of Sanemi’s fingers. Shinazugawa never ceased to amaze her with how quickly his body pushed through things, especially considering Genya’s venom was so potent.
With a hum, she shot Genya one more smile then turned on her heel to leave the room. “I have a few other patients to attend to, so I will leave the both of you to it.”
The comment catches Genya’s attention, looking to Shinobu, confused, only to see her already closing the door behind her.
Now alone, Genya’s skin started to crawl at how quiet the room was. Shinobu had put them in a private room, taking into account Sanemi’s terrible track record of being in a room with others.
To be honest, Genya wasn’t sure if he wanted to be here when Sanemi woke up or if he wanted to leave. He knows Sanemi will be furious. Furious that he wasn’t just stuck with Genya for that mission, but he had gone and gotten Sanemi hurt. Had hurt Sanemi himself.
He really was a monster.
Sanemi wouldn’t want to be his brother anymore. He wouldn’t want to fix their already fragile and broken relationship. Tanjirou had said Sanemi didn’t hate him, but was that still true? How could he still love the brother that tried to eat him? Genya was going to be alone again.
Thoughts spiraling into despair, Genya didn’t even notice as thick tears started to drip off his face onto his and Sanemi’s hands, Genya still clutching tightly to his brother. Afraid that if he let go, Sanemi would disappear forever.
Drip, drip, drip.
Sanemi could feel something warm and wet dripping onto the skin of his hand. Could feel the hand in his tightening. His body was slowly but surely coming to, something surely because of the amount of blood loss he’d suffered.
His eyes roll behind closed lids. As more wetness falls against his skin, his mind is a swirling mess. But he knows, feels Genya needs him. Who else would be holding his hand?
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” A broken, shiver of a voice. It chokes on its own grief, and Genya sounds as if he’s drowning. How long has he been drowning?
Was Sanemi holding his head underwater this whole time? Watching his brother drown?
“I’m sorry, Nemi.” Genya whispers as the feeling of his warm hand slips from Sanemi’s own.
Sanemi’s muddled mind screams at him to move, to speak. “That’s our baby, go get him-“
A strangled noise coming from behind him stops Genya dead in his tracks. It sounded so weak and pitiful, he wouldn’t have thought it came from his brother if they weren’t the only two in the poorly lit room.
Looking back, exhausted and half-lidded eyes meet his own gaze. “ So much for leaving before he woke up .” Genya thought.
Maybe he could still leave. Surely Sanemi wasn’t aware enough to realize Genya was here, right?
As if to answer, Sanemi’s slurred hoarse voice broke the silence. “Gen— ya.”
Or maybe he was. Hesitantly, Genya turned to return to his spot beside his brother, reaching out to rest a hand back around Sanemi’s.
“I’m here, Nemi.”
“Y-you’re” His voice cracks. Sanemi’s mouth feels like it’s full of cotton and he realizes he is so thirsty. But through his half lidded gaze he sees his precious baby, hand warm in his grasp again, and he’d rather die than feel that warmth slip away once more.
“— ok-ah-y?”
What? Genya’s mouth falls open, staring at his elder brother in bewilderment. “H… huh? Am I … okay?” He asks.
Sanemi’s face twitches, his mouth works seamlessly around air yet he struggles to form any words, still gathering the strength to speak.
Genya’s eyes slide to his brother’s shoulder, where a permanent scar will likely rest on his flesh forever. Tainted by Genya’s weakness, a reminder that Genya was, and always will be a monster.
Somehow, it made him angry. Whether it was the demon blood still running through him or his own personal turmoil, Genya was furious .
“Am I okay?!” His voice raises, raspy and deep and nothing like the childish voice he once had. “Nemi— Sanemi… You were the one that almost fucking— I almost—“
Killed you…
He heaves, ripping his grio from his brother as if it were sunlight, burning away the flesh it touched.
He misses the way Sanemi’s face crumples in despair and guilt.
“I’m okay.” Heaving a loud sigh through his nose, Genya continues. “And so will you be. Especially after I’m gone.”
Those words play on repeat in Sanemi’s head, muddled brain trying to process what he just heard.
Go? Go, where? Away from Sanemi?
Surely Genya didn’t mean that, he already promised Genya that he could come live with him in the Wind estate, and Sanemi planned to keep that promise.
He planned to make up for every stupid mistake he had ever made, and never let Genya be alone ever again.
Calm but hesitant, Sanemi forced the words from his mouth. “G-gone?”
Genya was far too quiet for Sanemi’s liking, standing there ridgid with his back turned. Sanemi would give anything for his baby to turn around and just look at him.
“Goodbye, Sanemi.” Was all Genya said before he started to head for the door.
That sent Sanemi into a frenzy. It was like sobering up in a split second. His baby was leaving and blood loss be dammed he was going to get his body to fucking move.
Hesitant and slow, Genya keeps his back turned to his brother because if he looks back— what frail and weak conviction he has to walk away with wither and decay.
So even though the tears lick at his lower lashes, and his heart feels like it’s ripping into two, he keeps putting one foot after another. His mind swirls with old memories, sharing a watermelon, hunting for beetles —
His big brother’s smile and the laugh that had sounded so free and full of life.
Oh how he’d give anything to hear— thunk
Huh? Instead of his brother’s charming laugh, Genya hears the sound of something heavy hitting the ground. Against his better judgment, he turns around.
And there, Genya sees his elder brother disgracefully splayed out in the floor, his forehead resting on it while his legs and arms spasm, trying to gather their control back of unruly appendages.
Genya couldn’t help but stand there, jaw gaping at the sight. In all his life he’s never seen Nemi so… small. Even when he had stood over his mother dying body, he had seemed larger than life.
His demonic enhanced hearing picks up on garbled, desperate words. Faintly, each repeated one sounds more and more like “don’t go.”
As much as Genya wants to get out of here and Sanemi's life, he can't just leave his brother helpless on the ground. But Genya can't bring himself to move forward, the fear of hurting his brother creeping back into him.
What if he hurts Sanemi again when he tries helping him back into bed? Genya couldn't handle the feeling of his big brother's blood on his claws again. Thoughts spiraling, he doesn't notice as Sanemi manages to shift his arms under his body, propping himself up just slightly.
His muscles scream at him to stop and rest, shoulder shooting pain through his whole body but Sanemi let Genya go once before, he won't ever make that mistake again.
The faint sound of something dripping on the floor pulls Genya out of his thoughts, heart sinking at the sight of what looks like tears dripping from his brother's chin. Genya opens his mouth, wanting to call out to his brother, but his words get caught in his throat as Sanemi lifts his head just enough that Genya can see his eye peeking out from under his messy hair.
Fat tears fall from bloodshot eyes, his Nemi , the strongest person in Genya's whole world, was crying... and it was his fault. A strained gasp quickly pulls him from his thoughts again, Sanemi trying, struggling to get any words to form.
"Can't— I can't lose you again."
Any resolve Genya had left is turned to ash.
He practically throws himself to the floor, knees connecting to it with a loud thud as his clawed hands gently cup his Nemi’s face.
“Oh, Nemi.” Genya’s breath hitches, his thumb idly wiping away another stray tear that falls from his eyes.
Sanemi’s body quivers, mustering all his strength to shakily hold up one hand, resting it warmly on the backside of Genya’s hand. Body relaxing, eyes falling closed, Sanemi leans into the touch. His baby was here, and he wasn’t leaving.
A little smile creeps on Genya’s face as he holds his brother’s face which is resting heavily in his hands. Seeing the tension visibly leave Sanemi’s body makes Genya realize just how stressed Sanemi had been. How scared he was of Genya leaving.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t—“ His heart hammers in his chest. It feels as though Genya’s stomach is going to crawl its way up and out of his throat. Time and time again Genya has given Sanemi his heart… and time and time again Sanemi rejected it.
If this becomes another fluke, it’ll never heal again. And Genya isn’t sure what his life would be worth after that.
“Shh, shh. S’okay.” Sanemi slurs, wet eyes fluttering back open to flick across every inch of his baby brother’s face. He can spot the tip of a sharp tooth that peeks out of his top lip, when he blinks he sees the slightest golden hue circling his pupil and melding with purple irises. His hair is unmistakably stained gold at the tips, little bits of white blending with the gold. Something that seems to mark all demons and their adjacents.
But he was still his little brother. This was his baby. This was Genya, and it always would be. God, he was starting to realize how tired he was.
“We’ll be okay.” He hums, Genya thunking his head against his brother’s uninjured shoulder, and his guilty tears quickly wet the cloth, seeping to pale skin.
Genya is sure how long they stayed there on the floor, leaning their weight against each other, but when he caught the sound of heavy drawn breaths, he shifted back enough to peer at his brother.
Sanemi’s head was leaning heavily on Genya’s shoulder, eyes closed. It wasn’t often he got to see Sanemi actually relaxed anymore. His brother stayed alert and high strung at all times, seeing him so comfortable made Genya’s heart feel warm. He really didn’t want to wake up his brother, but the floor wasn’t a good place for him to recover.
Slowly, Genya maneuvered an arm under Sanemi’s legs, the other hooking behind his back before lifting him up as Genya got to his feet. His brother wasn’t too heavy for Genya, but Sanemi wasn’t by any means light.
Sanemi didn’t stir as he was lifted up, head just resting against Genya’s shoulder. It made Genya chuckle, it was a bit strange to be the one carrying Sanemi to bed. He couldn’t count how many times Nemi had carried Genya to bed when they were little. Seeing Sanemi so small in his grip was almost endearing.
With a huff, Genya forced himself to shuffle to the bed, carefully laying Sanemi down. As he tried to stand back upright though he noticed he was snagged by something. Gaze drifting down, Genya saw a hand tightly gripping at his yukata. Guess he wasn’t going anywhere.
With a snort, Genya lifted Sanemi more to the side of the bed as he slid onto the bed with him, relaxing with Sanemi’s head on his chest, arm hooked around his big brother.
The quiet sound of the singing crickets outside, the familiar warmth of his brother beside him made Genya’s mind wander to when things were much simpler. They had both changed so much since they left home, but deep down the one thing that hadn't was how much they truly needed each other.
Reminiscing on times long gone, Genya didn’t notice his own eyes drifting closed.
When Shinobu came back to check on them, she found them snuggled up on a bed far too small, both brothers looked relaxed and so peaceful in their sleep.
A genuine smile crept on her face at the sight, just for a moment before she headed to check over Sanemi’s injuries. When she was satisfied with how the wound was looking, Shinobu gathered the blanket from the floor, resting it over the two before she moved to close the shades. The sun would be up soon, but these two would be needing their rest.
With everything settled in it’s space, Shinobu threw one last glance at the brothers before quietly closing the door behind her.
It would take a lot to mend their broken relationship, but at least now they’d given themselves the chance.
“By loving the broken parts in you, I learn to love the broken parts in me. And we will find we are not broken after all…”