the wound wont close

Rengoku had been laid on the bed when you walked in the room, your own wounds extensive but nowhere near the damage he had taken. He was sitting up, though. That persistent smile on his face.

"Kyojuro."

"Hello, Y/N. Are you sure you should be up? You were quite injured."

You were silent. Just a foot into his room, but you were frozen. The sound of his blood dripping onto the stone floor echoing in your head. You thought that you were okay. Slayers didn't carry moments like this so heavily. Blood was a random part of your day. But his blood? It had done something to you.

"Y/N?" He asks after you haven't answered him, the slightest bit of a furrow in his brow. "Are you alright?" He's shifting in his bed like he's going to try and stand.

Was this really the moment you were realizing that you loved this man? Really loved him? Your world was tilting on its axis, and you had to flea.

"I'm fine, just a bit light headed. You're right, I shouldn't be up. I'm so glad you're okay." You're out the door before he can ask after you again, the sound of it sliding shut cutting off his worried questions.

You needed to figure this out.

--

Kyojuro hadn't been closer to you than opposite sides of the room in weeks and it was gnawing at him, bit by bit. The upset look on your face in that healing room stuck with him as he laid in bed at night. Had he done something?

He was a coward for not chasing after you, and even more still for not approaching you these few weeks. He told himself he was giving you space. If you were upset with him, perhaps that was best.

But it wasn't. He just wasn't ready for the reality of his feelings. As someone who loved passionately, he could not believe that he had not noticed the depth of what he felt for you sooner.

Now that he had, he must say that it was almost overwhelming. That, coupled with your sudden hesitance to be around him, led to him being so unsure that he just sat to the side.

But oh, how he missed you.

You were both at the same eatery, considering the lack of options near the base. You had looked physically pained when you walked in and saw him, choosing the table farthest away. Rengoku swallowed thickly, wanting nothing more than to join you for this meal and explain everything - but it seemed like you wanted nothing to do with him.

"Mr. Rengoku!" The voice is the boyish lilt of Tanjiro Kamado. He's stood to the side of Rengoku's table, a polite smile on his face. "Do you mind if I join you for a moment, sir?"

Shaking off his stupor, the older man nods. "Yes, of course, young Kamado! One could always have a partner for a meal." He pushes some of his generous portions toward the boy and resumes eating his meal.

Tanjiro nods in thanks and grabs his chopsticks. "Why aren't you eating with Y/N? I see them across the restaurant, but I don't know if I've ever seen you two sit apart."

He says it so matter of fact that Rengoku almost chokes on his bite. He swallows with a cough, giving him a small smile.

"We uh, are just having some issues right now. I'm not sure how to broach the subject."

Tanjiro blinks, a naive look on his face, before he has an idea. "I'll go grab them and we'll get this sorted! Life is short, Mr. Rengoku, too short to be having misunderstandings!"

The protest is only half out before Tanjiro is at your table, and it takes less than ten seconds and an unsure look for you to join him at Rengoku's table.

It's immediately akward.

Rengoku doesn't greet you. Half because he feels you were forced to be there and half because he feels as though a cat has his tongue. What a strange feeling, to be without words when they usually came so naturally to him.

"I'm worried about you two." Tanjiro says simply. "What's going on? You're a strong team! We have to preserve that."

You swallow thickly, wanting nothing more than to sink into the floor beneath you.

You couldn't refuse Tanjiro's request, that sweet kid. But Rengoku must be even angrier with you than you thought. He didn't even greet you when you came over, a thin lipped smile thrown your way instead.

He had never not boisterously announced his thankfulness for seeing someone he cares about. Had I ruined this?

Rengoku clears his throat. "In the effort of honesty, I believe that Y/N is upset with me and I am trying to give them space. I wish you hadn't grabbed them, Tanjiro."

You and Tanjiro both stiffen. He thought you were upset with him, and he was giving you space? That was such a Rengoku move, but through your emotion you couldn't see it.

You're about to stammer out a reply when Tanjiro bursts out laughing, drawing both of your attention to him.

"Kamado, this doesn't seem very appropriate for the conversation." The Hashira says, and you can't help but agree.

Tanjiro laughs for a moment more before he calms himself. "I'm so sorry. Forgive me. But it is so comical to me that you think she could be mad at you! You're both so madly in love with each other, it's palpable. Even if I couldn't smell strong emotions - I would know that you two were soulmates."

You suck in a breath, and its Kyojuro's turn to stiffen.

"You must be mistaken, Tanjiro. We are not interested in each other." The last part is hesitant, but you can't help it. Rengoku meets your eyes from across the table.

The young man looks floored. "Are you guys not engaged? Or at least dating?"

"No," Rengoku responds. "We certainly are not."

"Oh," Tanjiro pauses a moment. "But you're madly in love with each other. Why not?"

Your cheeks are burning scarlet down to your neck, you can feel the heat traveling as he continues on.

He could smell my love for Kyojuro? What an interesting and terrifying sense.

Wait, was he saying that Kyo also loves me?

"Tanjiro, maybe you-"

"Oh! Plus, there's a whole poll among the other Hashira of when you will get married. I thought maybe it was a long engagement and people were giving guesses! You seem like such a great couple, and you're clearly in love."

My head hits the table, a groan of embarrassment escaping me. "You're telling me that everyone knew but us?"

It's silent for a moment before Kyojuro's laugh booms across the restaurant.

"Well, what a way for my feelings to be confessed. What do you say, my love?"

My head lifts and those wildfire eyes are on me. "Huh?"

"You and me? Seems like it's a done deal. I would be lucky." He says, tilting his head a bit.

You stammer for just a moment. "In front of Kamado?"

"I can go to the other table."

"Seems as though that he knows more than we want him to, anyway."

Giyuu Tomioka

You weren't a demon slayer. You weren't a part of the corp at all, instead running your own bakery in the small town that borders the corps headquarters.

Maybe that's what drew Giyuu to you. But once he had given in to his curiosity once, he couldn't stop himself from coming back. The first time he had entered your establishment, it was for a gift for the Master. He had taken ill again, and Tomioka didn't know a better way to show his well wishes.

You were radiant. A kind of sunshine and love that slapped the Water Hashira in the face, and something he hasn't felt from someone since. He was his usual stoic self throughout the interaction and you didn't let that deter you in the slightest - continuing on to give him recommendations and gush over your favorites. He left with a box full of pastries and a mind full of your smile.

He came back the following week. And the week after that. And every week that he was stationed at home for the next two months.

--

You feared that having a crush on a customer was probably the worst thing you could possibly do. Not only did it have to break some kind of business etiquette, there was no way that this gorgeous man was interested in more than the box of pastries he leaves with every week.

There are a few weeks he doesn't show at the usual time. Very few, but on the ones that have happened so far you've found yourself staying open a bit later. Hoping that maybe he just got sidetracked. You find yourself weirdly disappointed that you didn't see him that day. But then he returns the next week, a mysterious bruise on his clavicle, and a small smile on his face.

This week, the bell chimes at his regular time and you're already wearing a large smile when you turn and notice that he's brought a companion this time. A younger boy, with red hair and a kind smile.

"Morning, Mr. Tomioka. I see you've brought a friend."

Giyuu nods and gestures to him. "This is Tanjiro Kamado. He is.. an apprentice, of mine. I thought that he should try the treats."

Tanjiro nods. "Nice to meet you!"

You laugh lightly. "My name is Y/N. Nice to meet you too. Do we know what we want?"

You try your best to focus on Giyuu's order and not the blush that seems to be coloring the bottoms of his cheeks. Is he embarrassed for some reason? Maybe I was being a bit too much. I know I can be exuberant.

"I think that will be all. Thank you." Giyuu says as he finished his order, eyes anywhere but your own.

You nod. "I will be right back with that." You disappear into the back, hoping that you haven't done something to upset him.

When Giyuu turns to Tanjiro to double check that he doesn't want anything else, he turns to find the boy already staring at him with a curious expression.

"What is it?" Giyuu asks, confused by the look. Was he acting weird? Was his nervousness really so apparent?

"Nothing." Tanjiro bites out before a snicker, hand coming to cover his mouth.

Was this some kind of joke? Clearly it wasn't nothing.

"If something is wrong you can tell me."

"It's not that something is wrong. At least not with me."

Giyuu sighs, exasperated. "Can you just speak plainly?"

"I never knew you could have a crush! You're always so stoic and proper but you're really infatuated with this woman. And she is with you! How are you going to make a move?"

Giyuu reels back a bit, mouth agape. "W-what are you talking about?"

"You and Y/N-"

The door to the back of the eatery shuts with a small whoosh and both Tanjiro and Giyuu look over, wearing mortified expressions.

Your eyes are wide, pastries clutched to your chest.

"Y/N.." Giyuu starts.

"You're... interested in me?"

"I'll just take these." Tanjiro takes the boxes of sweets and walks away, giving the two of you space.

Giyuu swallows, all too aware of how unprepared he is for this. "I... I'm sorry if this is inappropriate. I didn't bring him in here like this to ambush you, I swear. He's just... perceptive."

Your shocked, for just a second, before the lightest feeling you've ever encountered takes over your body. You laugh, something light, and Giyuu almost melts.

"I think we should thank him. Seems we needed this push."

"Yeah. I suppose we did."

Sanemi Shinazugawa

Sanemi was frustrated to his core. No matter how many demons he slayed, Hashira's he sparred, miles he ran - you wouldn't leave him be. You haunted every moment of his being. From the training fields, where the lilt of your laugh floated on the breeze to him - to missions, where you inexplicably kept getting assigned to join him despite his insistence that he wants to work alone.

You were like an infection he couldn't kick, an addiction that was ruining him but he didn't want to kick. If asked, Sanemi couldn't even tell you why he was so obsessed. Unless he thought about it for a moment. About your smile, and mock cynicism, and the way you always laugh off your pain but know when it's time to have an important conversation, even if he hates it.

You're an enigma that's attached itself to him, and he doesn't want to be rid of you.

The night it happens is on a routine mission. Well, as routine as it can be when it requires two Hashira. There would be formidable opponents, but you and Sanemi were a match made in heaven. On the battlefield, at least.

You're both in the middle of a large clash when you both feel another presence joining the fray, and Sanemi audibly grumbles at the site of Tanjiro Kamado.

"Shinazugawa! Y/N! I was sent to help you finish up." He calls out, slashing through his own set of demons.

Rather than bitch, Sanemi just continues on his warpath. Channeling his annoyance at the brat and confusion over you into his swings, cutting down anything that stands between him and the end.

The fight lasts an hour, and the three of you waste no time traveling to the nearest Wistera House for rest.

You're sat at a table eating some food together before you call it a night, the clink of your chopsticks the only sounds in the room.

That is, before Tanjiro speaks up.

"Shinazugawa do you think that you can get me seconds? That demon really slashed my leg, I don't want to hobble into the kitchen." He asks sweetly, holding out his bowl. You're astounded by his gall but to your surprise, and despite his eye twitching, Sanemi snatches the bowl from his hands and stalks from the room.

"Forgive me," Tanjiro says, turning to you. You turn slightly toward him as well, brows raised. "I just didn't know if we would get a chance to talk."

"What do you need to talk about, Tanjiro? Is everything okay?"

"Why do you hide your love for Shinazugawa?"

You cough a bit, putting a hand to your chest. "Excuse me?"

"I understand why he isn't honest with you, he's a bit emotionally stunted I think. I also don't think that he believes he deserves love. But you've always been very open. Excuse me for assuming, I just thought that you would love loudly. These are such dark times, I can't help but try and nurture the sparks of light that I see."

I'm shocked, silent, and unsure of how to respond. How could he possibly know any of that? He also insinuated that Sanemi was also interested. Had he talked to him?

"How do you know that, Tanjiro? I've never told anyone. Even Mitsuri."

He points to his nose, a large smile on his face. "My sense of smell is for more than just tracking. I'm sorry if it feels like an invasion, but I just had to ask."

"That's okay-"

Sanemi steps into the room, shoving the filled bowl at the younger boy. "Out. Now."

"Sanemi-" You begin, but he's staring Tanjiro down.

"I said move, kid. You've done enough."

Tanjiro nods, standing and gathering his things. "Have a good night!" And he escapes out of the shoji doors.

All of that intense energy is focused on you then. Energy that you love. You adored how passionate he was, about everything, even if it didn't always stem from the healthiest things.

"So, you're into me?" He asks, folding his arms over his bare chest.

You roll your eyes, trying to ignore the burning of your cheeks. "You should consider yourself very lucky."

"I do."

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