Work Text:
Back then, the Hashira rarely met outside their assigned missions, mostly because the war was still raging and any one of them could lose their life at literally any moment. Their entire existence was devoted to giving up every last breath they had, and there was no room for making friends. What even was friendship when they did not know how long they would live?
But by some miracle none of them could truly comprehend, they are all alive and well now. Scarred and disabled, yes, but alive nonetheless, and that alone feels worth celebrating. So here they are—nine people, finally living in an era of peace, sitting on the tatami together and raising their cups in a small toast-off.
“What a day!” Rengoku exclaims. Demon or not, his voice still carries just as far. “I never thought there’d come a day when we’d all be sitting together drinking like this.”
“I’ll give you that, Rengoku.” Uzui nods, already pouring wine into everyone’s cups, plays the genial host. “That fight with the Upper Moon was brutal, from what I heard. You were literally brought into Kocho’s Mansion with a gaping hole in your chest. I thought you wouldn’t make it out alive.”
Both Rengoku and Uzui retired after their battles with the Upper Moons, fearing that those fights had taken too much of their strength and that they could no longer stand alongside their comrades in battle. More importantly, unlike some of the Hashira present—those who had already lost their families—they still had people waiting for them at home. That, more than anything, sealed their decision. Everyone understood.
Shinobu Kocho smiles gracefully as she accepts the cup from Uzui.
“Enough about the past; those days are long behind us,” she says after taking a small sip of wine. All eyes turn to her, bright and curious. “I realize that even during our time as Hashira, we hardly knew one another at all. It’s time for a fresh start, don’t you think?”
Murmurs of agreement ripple through the room. Giyuu Tomioka, sitting right next to her, says nothing as usual, but his gaze remains fully on her.
His posture is far more relaxed these days, arms resting at his sides, no longer held in that defensive, closed-off way he once presented to people. Shinobu is quietly glad she lived long enough to see this.
“Why don’t we introduce ourselves again, as if we’re meeting for the first time?” Shinobu suggests. “But instead of giving our names, let’s share a fact about ourselves that you think the others don’t know.”
“Kyaaa! Let me go first!” Mitsuri practically bounces in her seat. Shinobu makes a mental note that bringing Mitsuri to gatherings is always a good idea. “I love cats!! And I can eat one hundred dango in a single sitting!!!”
We all know that already… is what everyone is thinking—especially Obanai—but they clap and cheer for her anyway. The atmosphere visibly loosens after Mitsuri speaks, and soon everyone begins sharing bits about themselves. Even Muichiro, who barely spoke during their meetings in the past, manages to mention in his soft voice that he’s quite good at sketching. He immediately receives at least five commissions and promises to finish them as soon as he can.
“And now, Tomioka-san!!!” Mitsuri bobs her head and points at Giyuu, who has been listening quietly the entire time. “You’re next!!”
Giyuu remains silent for a while, not responding right away. Thankfully, everyone is used to his mannerisms by now to understand that he’s brainstorming, not ignoring them or looking down on them—though it does take them a long time to get there, Shinobu sighs to herself. After a few minutes, Giyuu finally looks up, his expression slightly lost.
“I’m not very interesting,” he says. “I don’t have anything nice or exciting to tell you guys.”
Shinobu chimes in gracefully.
“Then let me share one fact about you, Tomioka-san.” She nudges his arm. “Did you all know? This man is incredibly easy to get drunk. On missions, it only takes about three cups of light wine, and he’s already as red as a tomato. It’s quite a sight to see.”
“Let’s test it then.” Obanai says and grabs another bottle and a cup. Though the misunderstandings between them have long since subsided, it seems the former Snake Pillar still can’t help jabbing at Giyuu every now and then. “We’ve got plenty of wine anyway. Let’s drink till morning.”
They clink their cups and cheer. One, two, three cups—and after that, Shinobu doesn’t really remember much. Her head feels heavy, yet oddly lighter than usual at the same time, for reasons she can’t explain. She turns to the side, only to find Giyuu still sitting upright, hands folded neatly in his lap. His expression is as calm as ever.
“Huh? So weird,” Shinobu says, poking his cheek. “Your face isn’t red at all. You haven’t actually been drinking this whole time, have you?”
“My cup’s been refilled at least ten times, Kocho,” Giyuu replies evenly.
“Listen to him brag!” Shinobu throws her head back and laughs. “Giyuu Tomioka, the strongest—ten cups of wine and he doesn’t even blink.”
“The one who always got drunk on our missions was you, Kocho,” Giyuu says and actually pouts. Giyuu Tomioka, pouting. Maybe what he just said is the truth—because what are the odds she’d get to see something like that while not drunk?
“You’re so cute, Tomioka-san,” Shinobu slurs.
The next second, she feels herself collapse onto something warm and soft. An arm slips around her shoulders to steady her. She doesn’t even need to look to know it’s Giyuu: he’s held her like this countless times on missions before. His hands are rough with calluses, yet gentle all the same, resting comfortably against her body.
“Look! Kocho is right,” Rengoku’s booming voice rings out. “Tomioka’s blushing like mad!”
“Looks like the wine finally caught up with him. Keep pouring, Uzui-san.”
Through the haze, Shinobu feels Giyuu’s arm tighten even more around her.
Somehow, she suspects his blush has nothing to do with the wine. But that’s fine. The world is free of demons now, and Giyuu is here, with her. She has the rest of her life to find out the truth.