Everlasting Love For Toads

schizophrenia is a type of neurodivergence.

it's such a good thing to see more acceptance happening for autism and adhd for example, but what's not good is seeing so many people ignore schizophrenia or act like it's "too scary" to be included.

Gyomei absolutely loves small creatures of all kinds—cats landing at the top of the list. It should be no surprise, really.

He spends days on end cradling strays in his large palms, envelopping them with all the tenderness in the world. Nursing and watching their limbs grow stronger, their confidence spike until they feel adventurous enough to return to the world.

"Hello to you again," the wisteria-scented air vibrates with the bass of his voice. Wind chimes responding with high-pitched chants. On the wall of your shared residence, an orange tabby was perched and blinked slowly, eyes set on Gyomei.

You had found the baby almost dead in the frigid winter, abandonned by its mother. But now it circled your property with such confidence, returning to visit its rescuers like it and so many others did regularly.

A testament to how a stout love could breathe life into the broken.

Gyomei's care goes way beyond feline companions. He holds all like he could cradle the entire would between his arms; His junior Hashiras, even younger recruits of the demon slayer corps, various small animals, you.

A man who gives himself with no fear, like the love in his heart had no chance of running out; like his very body was inexhaustible.

Duty runs deep in his veins, ushering in a sense of responsibility that he wholly embraces. But one that chains him nonetheless.

You are keen to notice the fatigue in his muscles when he lays next to you. The redness that tints the skin around his eyes, because of a heart too full that sheds tears too easily.

So you make it your duty to care for Himejima Gyomei.

"Lay with me, won't you?" When you finally have some time away from the gore of slaying demons, wrapping your arms around as much of him as you could, letting him rest his head on your chest.

"Let me rub your feet." You urge him to sit, noticing the tension in his muscles after spending days on end training younger slayers.

"I've got you covered on this side!" You act as his eyes during fierce battles, keeping other demons at bay and letting him focus on the upper moon that terrorized the area.

He's fully cognizant of what you're doing, of course he is. Nothing escapes the notice of this quiet observer.

But your dedication only makes his heart swell more with emotion. The kind that stirs deep in his being and stretches to every fiber of his body.

You made the protector feel protected. You had him, and just like the small creatures you both nursed, he found himself irremediably attached to you.

Never to be split, not even by the ever-looming shadow of death.

I have multiple exams coming up and have honestly had no time to write at all :((, it genuinely makes me so sad.