Work Text:
Giyuu had been used to solo missions. He’d prefer it. On his non-solo missions, he was always with Shinobu, who would pester him to death. Her tongue was a poison in itself. He learned quickly to hate joint missions.
So, he was surprised and slightly upset when he was assigned on a joint mission with Kyojuro Rengoku. He had barely talked to the guy beforehand. Giyuu questioned if he had ever said a word to Kyojuro. It made him feel awkward.
The Flame Hashira stood outside Giyuu’s door, knocking and calling for Giyuu. Giyuu was amazed by his speed, considering Giyuu had only gotten the memo five minutes ago. Giyuu slipped his sword in his belt and opened his door.
He was greeted by the wide-smiling Kyojuro.
“Hello! Tomioka! I hope you’re ready to leave, we have a mission six cities over! We should hurry now before it gets any darker!” Kyojuro was a kind man. Hopefully he wouldn’t tease him like Shinobu did.
They only had a few hours before sunset.
Giyuu nodded, “Yes.” He felt too awkward to say much to Kyojuro.
“Then let’s head out!” Kyojuro turned and took the lead. Giyuu closed his door to his house and followed. Their crows raced alongside them above.
The season was deep in winter. Snow piled on the ground along the trail which Kyojuro and Giyuu followed. Despite being the Water Hashira, Giyuu didn’t necessarily like the cold. Sure, he endured cold waters and temperatures a lot better than others, but he preferred spring, where the weather was a lot more neutral. Giyuu wore an extra thick uniform for the winter.
Kyojuro, however, seemed to wear the same uniform year-round. Giyuu supposed his flame breathing made him resistant to the cold. Giyuu was a little envious of that.
“Tomioka! You can very easily keep up with my speed! I’m impressed! We’ll be there in no time!” Kyojuro happily complimented. Giyuu nodded in response.
Surprisingly, they made it to their destination in Water Grove Village before the sun began to set. That gave them time to ask the locals about their problem or if they’ve seen any demons.
The village was small and covered in deep snow. Frozen lakes and streams surrounded the town. There were very few people out, and only men. One old lady seemed to have been pacing by the entrance of the village. She spotted Kyojuro and Giyuu once they entered the village. She ran towards them the best her aging body could.
“You two. . .!” She raised a finger at them, “You two must be demon slayers! I can tell from your uniforms! Hurry, come with me, before the demon returns!” The lady beckoned to them, turning and leading the way.
Kyojuro and Giyuu looked at each other before nodding and following the old lady.
The old lady led them to a large mansion — most likely the biggest in the village. She led the boys through the courtyard and sat on the steps of the entrance of the mansion, catching her breath. Giyuu and Kyojuro scanned the area. There were claw marks on the fencing of the manor. Strange, long claw marks that were definitely from a demon.
“There’s been a demon appearing in my manor for some time now,” the old lady began to say, “I’m the mayor of this village, but only recently when my husband died by the hands of the demon. The demon seems to be attacking only women. Before my husband died, we collected all the women of the village to hide inside our manor so they’d be protected by our wisteria incense. But it’s already taken eight of the women. Younger demon slayers such as yourself had already passed by, but they’ve disappeared.”
The old lady began to tear up, “I’m sorry, but, I think the demon also killed them. I’m scared to cause the Corps any more trouble than I already have. I just want to keep my women safe!”
Kyojuro placed a hand on the lady’s shoulder and smiled, “Don’t worry, Miss! No need to cry. We will make sure the demon is vanquished! You can rest easy.”
The old lady sniffed, “Thank you, young boys.”
The sun was finally starting to settle down. Giyuu and Kyojuro stood outside the manor, thinking about their situation and how to lure out the demon.
Kyojuro said,“Considering the lady’s story, the demon should be lurking around the manor once it gets dark. Though, it might not be safe to fight such a strong demon with innocent civilians so close! We should lure the demon out. Any ideas, Tomioka?”
Giyuu shook his head, “It likes women. Maybe Shinobu or Mitsuri should’ve tagged along.” Yeah, Giyuu thought, why’d they send me? I’m probably just going to screw this entire thing up.
Kyojuro thought for a moment. Then his eyes lit up.
“Tomioka!” He said, “You’re brilliant! You will be dressed as a woman to lure the demon away from the village! Then we can safely slay it.”
Giyuu furrowed his eyebrows and scowled, “No.”
“Come on, Tomioka! It’s for a good cause. We have to save the people and we can’t allow them to get caught in the crossfire.” Kyojuro pressed on with his innocent smile.
Giyuu growled, embarrassed, “Fine. But how am I supposed to dress like a woman anyways? I don’t have such a change of clothing.” Giyuu prayed that fact would shut the idea down, but Kyojuro was filled with ideas today.
“Don’t be silly! There’s a mansion filled with women just behind us! I’m sure they wouldn’t mind preparing you for the occasion!” Kyojuro laughed, and Giyuu believed the entire thing was just a plot to make fun of him.
Honestly? Giyuu couldn’t even be mad. He always felt like a fraud of a Hashira. He didn’t belong. Any teasing he got, he believed he deserved. He hoped one day he could be as worthy as the other Hashira.
But for now, he swallowed his dignity and walked back into the manor.
⚘❤⚘
Giyuu looked like a completely different person when he returned. He wore an elegant deep blue women’s kimono. His face was pale with white foundation. Red highlighted his lips, eyes, and eyebrows. The makeup made him look delicate and feminine. Giyuu’s hair was up, held in hairpins and charms. The hairdo was simple, yet beautiful. He looked like an Orian.
Kyojuro stared at Giyuu, speechless, a hot blush growing on his cheeks. Women could be heard giggling from the mansion.
Giyuu looked up at Kyojuro, nervous and embarrassed, “Is this good enough?”
Kyojuro’s face was still burning hot, “You look amazing! I-I,” Kyojuro noticeably stammered, “Uh— let’s go over the plan! Y-yeah! Right!”
Giyuu had never heard Kyojuro stutter before. He was kinda surprised. However, instead of asking, he ignored the strange quirk.
Once nightfall came along the village, all the villagers were told to stay in their houses until sunrise as the demon slayers worked on slaying the demon. Giyuu walked along in the night, in his feminine disguise, still with his sword close. He passed through the entire town, carefully observing the area. He led himself into the woods, gaining a distance away from the village as part of the plan. Kyojuro made sure to keep a good distance away from Giyuu, yet still followed him not too far behind.
Giyuu passed through the woods and made his way into the open area that surrounded a large, frozen lake. He stopped, scanning every little detail around him. Where could that demon be? Do I not pass as a woman? Giyuu felt a little offended.
A rustling was heard from behind him. Giyuu turned.
“Rengoku?” He softly called out. He couldn’t see the Flame Hashira. Maybe the noise was just a bird.
A rough wind erupted from behind Giyuu before he could process. A loud blade audibly sliced into something thick behind Giyuu. He turned as fast as possible.
A towering and muscular demon stood behind him. Kyojuro was there too, his sword unshealthed. An arm of that demon was cleanly sliced off. Both Kyojuro and the demon were incredibly fast. This battle may be difficult for Giyuu if he can’t keep up.
The demon was a woman, surprisingly.
She growled, “Get away from my prey!” Her arm grew back quickly and she threw punches at blinding speed towards Kyojuro. Kyojuro gracefully blocked each blow.
Giyuu unshealthed his sword and breathed in deep. Water Breathing: Second Form—Water Wheel! Giyuu was aiming for the neck, but the demon leaped back before Giyuu could get close.
She jumped a safe distance away. She raised a finger at Giyuu, “Y-you’re no woman! You’re a man?! Aren’t you?! I can tell from your damned muscular forearms when you came at me with that sword!”
Giyuu stood next to Kyojuro, dumbfounded by the demon’s words.
She continued speaking, “Of course you’re not! After the damned old man locked all the tasty women of the town away, I’ve been starving! I can’t stand the taste of men! I just can’t! I killed that old fool, but his flesh was so rotten and bitter I threw up! I just want a cute girl! All for myself!”
The demon’s ranting was embarrassing. Giyuu wanted to slice his own neck.
The demon lady ran towards the two at blinding speeds. The next thing Giyuu knew was that Kyojuro was in front of Giyuu once again, blocking a vicious attack. This time, Kyojuro seemed pissed, as if the idea of the demon being anywhere near Giyuu disgusted him.
Flame Breathing: First Form—Unknowing Fire! Flames scorched all around Kyojuro along his blade, but the blow just barely grazed the beast. The demon was exceptionally fast.
A serious look was painted on Kyojuro’s face. Giyuu knew it was finally time to lock in.
Together they attacked the demon from different angles. Kyojuro took the front approach while Giyuu took the back. The demon dodged their attacks, suffering minor cuts still. A barrage of slices were sent towards the demon as she jumped back, Giyuu and Kyojuro keeping up with her speed, not allowing her time to breathe.
The demon growled. She ducked down from an attack, just barely saving her neck. She couldn’t keep up with the two on land.
She smirked.
The demon changed her direction. The second she got free from Giyuu’s and kyojuro’s attacks, she plunged into the icy water of the lake, disappearing underneath.
Kyojuro halted, “The demon is hiding underwater! This will be difficult!” He never thought it would do such a thing, and had no plan for it because there were no reports of the demon being water bound.
Underneath the surface, the demon giggled, watching the demon slayers stare from above. Finally! A chance to use my blood demon art! I can transform my own body to adapt to survival in water! Not only am I faster in this realm, but I heal quicker!
Giyuu scrunched his face. He held his sword tight in his hands.
Charging, he plunged into those dark waters.
“Wait!” Kyojuro called. But he was too late and Giyuu was already underneath. He began to sweat hard. He didn’t want Giyuu to fight the demon alone, and he didn’t want Giyuu to suffer any harm.
The water hit Giyuu like a cold stone; it was painful and ached all over his body. All his makeup became washed off. The demon circled him at such a speed that was barely comprehensible.
“I knew it!” She squealed, “You really are no woman! You’re a man! You asshole!”
Giyuu could barely get a good view of the demon’s new form. Her bottom half now had the appearance of a shark. Gills covered her body.
Giyuu had to defeat the demon quickly before he ran out of breath or became frostbitten. His fingers were already turning blue and the feeling was disappearing.
The demon enclosed Giyuu. It doesn’t matter! I’ll kill you anyways. Swords are useless underwater. I am the supreme beast here!
Giyuu breathed carefully. Water Breathing: Sixth Form—Whirlpool! Giyuu twisted his body along with his sword, manipulating the streams and currents to bend to his will. The demon gasped and she was dragged into the slicing whirlpool. She had to use all her speed just to escape its grasp, and even then she suffered horrible cuts and dismemberments.
Such power! No! Don’t panic! My regeneration will make up for it. He can’t keep this up for long! Soon his body will freeze and he’ll go numb! He’s not immune to the cold! The demon hid deep below Giyuu as she healed. She waited for Giyuu’s attack to dissipate. When it was gone, she charged up towards him, jaws and claws ready to devour him.
Rapidly, Giyuu looked down. Water Breathing: Eighth Form—Waterfall Basin! His sword met the demon’s face. The demon was still able to sink her claws into Giyuu’s legs, before quickly jumping back to avoid fully getting her face sliced from his sword.
Giyuu screamed and water filled his lungs. His total concentration breathing had now been thrown off. He choked on the water. His grip on his sword had already grown so weak from the below-freezing temperatures. He couldn’t feel his fingers or skin.
Now’s my chance! The demon healed herself and spent one last charge on Giyuu while he was defenseless. She was ready to feel his flesh and bone rip apart in her claws. His death will be so satisfying! Maybe he won’t taste so bad since he’s pretty, too!
Giyuu saw the demon coming for him. He had to act fast. But his body was frozen and his lungs were giving up on him.
Suddenly, a bright flash of flames dived underwater, between the two. Kyojuro had his blade ready. The demon didn’t have enough time to react. She got too greedy and forgot about the other Hashira above land. She thought he was a coward. She thought he wasn’t going to jump in the water.
Flame Breathing: Fourth Form—Blooming Flame Undulation! Kyojuro’s sword sliced cleanly through the demon’s neck. Her body stopped in its tracks, searching for its head.
She screamed, “No! Not yet—!” As quick as her own speed, her body disintegrated.
Kyojuro didn’t care too much for her. He quickly grabbed a tight hold of Giyuu and Giyuu’s sword and pulled them out of the waters.
Giyuu instantly coughed up all the water in his lungs once he was on the surface. His body temperature was still dropping and he seemed weak. Kyojuro carefully held him close. Kyojuro, despite also taking a dip in those freezing waters, had a pretty warm body temperature. Giyuu pressed himself closer to Kyojuro and shivered against his chest.
Kyojuro blushed, “Giyuu. You are much braver than myself. I admire you deeply!”
Giyuu mumbled something incoherent. Kyojuro took that as a sign to rush back to the old lady’s manor.
⚘❤⚘
“Miss!” Kyojuro called, intruding on the old lady’s manor without knocking, “The demon has been slayed, thankfully. Can you get some warm blankets and clothing for my friend? Maybe some warm food too!” Giyuu and Kyojuro were dripping wet, but Giyuu was barely conscious.
The old lady ran up to them, “Oh dear! Y-yes! There’s a spare room just two doors to the left. You boys can have it for tonight. Me and the girls will take care of you both.” The old lady ran off to fetch those supplies for them. Kyojuro quickly went into the suggested room, still holding Giyuu.
He closed the door behind him. The room was practically empty—nothing but a table with some flowers for decor.
Kyojuro sat in the middle of the room, sitting Giyuu up next to him.
“Giyuu, are you alright?”
Giyuu nodded. He had never been more frozen in his life. All he wanted to do right now was sleep.
Kyojuro was warm. Giyuu leaned over and placed his head on Kyojuro’s shoulder, closing his eyes.
Kyojuro’s heart fluttered. He couldn’t stand Giyuu in such a state. Kyojuro felt weaker with Giyuu than anyone else.
Maybe that was because Giyuu reminded him so much of his mother. It was that raven black hair and stern look that made the two similar. Maybe that was why Kyojuro felt the need to protect him.
A part of Kyojuro was glad the make-up had washed from Giyuu’s face during the battle. Sure, he looked gorgeous in it, but Giyuu had a raw beauty that didn’t need such a thing. The make-up played with Kyojuro’s head, too, and he didn’t like that. It made him wish Giyuu was a girl so that he would have a chance with him, but he knew that idea was wrong.
Kyojuro slipped off his haori and wrapped it around Giyuu. Then he pulled Giyuu into a full body hug on the floor, wrapping his arms around Giyuu tightly and trapping him with his legs. He rested his head on Giyuu’s shoulder.
A small noise of surprise came from Giyuu. He didn’t expect this. But Kyojuro’s body was warm, even with all the soaked clothing. Giyuu leaned into Kyojuro’s embrace. His shivering calmed.
Kyojuro relaxed into the position. His heart was about to leap out of his chest. He wanted to kiss Giyuu like this. He knew he couldn’t, and he knew the thought was wrong, but it wouldn’t leave his mind.
“Rengoku?” Giyuu spoke, barely above a whisper.
“P-please! You can call me Kyojuro!” Kyojuro said with enthusiasm. He instantly regretted it. Wait. . . is this an appropriate moment to even be suggesting such a thing?! Was that too intimate?! What if I made him uncomfortable?!?!?
“Kyojuro,” Giyuu said, the name sending shivers down Kyojuro’s spine, “I think my legs were also bruised. Sorry to bother. . .” Giyuu felt ashamed and weak. He should’ve performed better today as a Hashira. No matter what mission he took, he never felt worthy of the title.
“O-oh!” Kyojuro unwillingly pulled away from the embrace. He crawled over to examine Giyuu’s legs, carefully lifting up the kimono. There were deep scratches along his ankles. Kyojuro felt a pang of guilt for not being able to protect him sooner from the demon.
Kyojuro smiled up at Giyuu, “It doesn’t look too serious, thankfully! Once the lady returns, I’ll request some bandages for you!”
Giyuu made a small noise in response. Kyojuro was too kind to him. He was, overall, such a strong and noble man with a clear sense of justice. Giyuu adored that about him. Kyojuro reminded Giyuu of Sabito. Even their physical appearance was similar. Kyojuro’s smile was a dagger in his heart. He was too much like Sabito for comfort. Maybe that’s why he felt so comfortable pressing his body so inappropriately close to Kyojuro’s. It made his heart race.
There was a knock on the door. It opened and the old lady stood with a fresh change of clothing and a woman behind her carried blankets.
“Here you are! As requested!” She happily said. Kyojuro stood and took the items.
“Sorry to bother any further, but my friend here will also need some bandages! His legs got injured in the battle. Is it possible you have a doctor around here?” Kyojuro kept up his professional demeanor, as if he wasn’t thinking about rushing back to cuddling Giyuu.
“Of course! We have a doctor housed within the manor. He’ll see you shortly after the two of you get dressed. I’ll prepare the room for sleep and the girls will prepare dinner. Thank you so much for slaying the demon!”
“Ahah! It’s nothing. I’m happy the people of the village are now safe.”
“Yes. Thank you. We’ll leave you both to get changed now.” The old lady nodded and closed the door.
Kyojuro walked over and sat the materials next to Giyuu, “You can get changed now. No need to be in wet clothing.”
Giyuu stared at him awkwardly.
“What?” Kyojuro tiled his head to the side.
“I want privacy.”
Oh!” Kyojuro became red, “Of course! Sorry! Let me step out of the room for a bit!”
Kyojuro never left a room so fast. He shut the door tight behind him. He was such a mess with Giyuu.
⚘❤⚘
Eventually, the two got their change of clothing and their checkup. Now they ate dinner in their given room, alone.
They sat facing each other. Kyojuro yelled out “tasty” after each bite of his stew. Giyuu mostly ignored this quirk. Giyuu couldn’t bring himself to eat much. Anxiety sat in his stomach. He couldn’t stop thinking about how much of a failure he was. He just stared at the hot bowl of soup without a thought.
“Giyuu! Why haven’t you touched your stew? It’s delicious! If you don’t like radishes, I'll pick them out of the stew and eat it for you! Ahah!” Kyojuro spoke between mouth-fulls.
Giyuu shook his head. He didn’t care for its contents. He just couldn’t bring himself to eat.
Unfortunately for Giyuu, he was eating with Kyojuro.
Kyojuro thrusted a spoon into Giyuu’s face, “Eat!”
Giyuu glared at Kyojuro. He wanted to smack the spoon away. But Kyojuro looked at him with such large and pleading eyes until he was defeated and opened his mouth for the spoon.
Giyuu swallowed the stew forced into his mouth. It was good. Giyuu barely had enough time to swallow before Kyojuro was forcing another spoonful at him.
He swallowed the second spoonful, “Ren- Kyojuro. . . I’m fine. I can do it myself.”
Giyuu picked up his own stew and began eating. Kyojuro never felt so happy in his life. He wanted to feed Giyuu more. Live a domestic life like that. With Giyuu.
When it was time for bed, Kyojuro made sure to cover Giyuu with multiple blankets. Sure, his temperature was finally going back to normal, but you could never be too sure. Kyojuro didn’t mind sleeping without a blanket if it meant Giyuu would be warm. He didn’t mind being cold to keep him cozy.
Giyuu seemed at peace under all those blankets on his futon. Kyojuro wanted to kiss him goodnight.
Kyojuro laid on his own futon without any blankets. He could feel the heavy tiredness and soreness from the battle overcome him. Yet, his mind was still on Giyuu. He wished he could’ve cuddled him for just a moment longer. After this mission, who knows. They might not see each other for a long time. And in a line of work as dangerous as theirs, one of them could die any day now. It was heartbreaking, but it was the truth.
Kyojuro was a little too lost in thought. So when Giyuu crawled over to Kyojuro’s bed, bringing all his blankets, and laid practically on top of him, he was caught off guard.
His face instantly became hot as fire, “G-Giyuu?” He wanted to say so much but couldn’t.
“I’m cold. I’m going to sleep here for the night.” Giyuu’s voice was sleepy. His hair was down, pressed up against Kyojuro with an arm wrapped around his waist. Kyojuro felt like he was about to have a heart attack.
Giyuu snuggled his face into Kyojuro’s chest. He was so huge and warm. Like a fireplace. Kyojuro was muscular but felt like a teddy bear beneath Giyuu.
Kyojuro froze. His mind was chaotic. It was on fire. Giyuu kept pressing his face into his chest, and every time he did Kyojuro felt like he was going to lose control of himself.
Carefully, Kyojuro ran his fingers through Giyuu’s hair. Giyuu made no reaction. Kyojuro continued to pet Giyuu. Giyuu’s breathing seemed to slow with the act. He had fallen asleep. Kyojuro stopped and put his arm along Giyuu’s back, keeping him secure at his side.
Kyojuro wanted nothing more than to be like this for the rest of his life. To have this, with Giyuu, be his nightly routine. To wake up every morning to Giyuu scent and embrace. He didn’t want to sleep.
He knew it was wrong, but he couldn’t help himself. Kyojuro slightly and gently leaned closer to Giyuu and placed a small kiss on his forehead.
Kyojuro laid his head back down, staring at the ceiling as his body shivered in joy. Looks like he wouldn’t be going cold tonight.