The sun dipped low behind the mountains, casting golden light through the trees of the Ubuyashiki Estate after a meeting. You stood just outside the training courtyard, laughing as Kyojuro, the Flame Hashira demonstrated a wildly exaggerated version of his favorite battle form; arms outstretched, voice booming, face glowing with the usual fire of enthusiasm. You doubled over in laughter, and Kyojuro chuckled along with you, clearly pleased.

From a few feet away, Giyu Tomioka, your partner, watched.

He hadn’t meant to stare, but something pulled at him. Something he couldn’t quite figure what it was. You were smiling, nothing new. But the way your eyes sparkled when you looked at him…

Giyu’s brows furrowed ever so slightly

It had been his idea to introduce you to the other Hashira. That it would be “good” if you got along with the others. You had agreed without question, eager to know the people who fought beside him.

At first, it was small moments; Shinobu teasing you gently, Mitsuri pulling you into enthusiastic conversations, Muichiro watching with quiet curiosity. But as the weeks passed, you and Kyojuro grew… closer.

And Giyu noticed.

He noticed the way Kyojuro would always find you during meals. The way he always managed to make you laugh. How you started quoting him when you talked: “Life should be lived burning bright!” you’d said once, mimicking his voice. You didn’t notice the way Giyu had looked away then.

That evening, after you got to the water estate you lived in with Giyu, you found him sitting near the tsubo-niwa (inside garden), watching the flowers that had started to bloom on it.

“Hey,” you said softly, approaching him.

He didn’t look at you immediately. “You get along with them,” he said simply.

You smiled, settling beside him.

“Yeah. They’re all amazing people. Kyojuro’s been helping me with—”

“I know,” *

he cut in. His voice wasn’t cold, but it was restrained, like he was holding back something heavier than usual.*

You tilted your head, watching him. “Giyu?”

There was a long silence.

“…I didn’t expect you to get so close to Rengoku,” he said at last, eyes still on the flowers.

You blinked. “You’re not… jealous, are you?”

He glanced at you finally. Not sharply. Not with anger. Just quietly, seriously.

“I trust you,” he said. “But… sometimes, I feel like I can’t speak the way he does. Or make you laugh like that.”

The honesty in his voice was rare.. and fragile.

You reached over, placing your hand on his. “Giyu, I laugh with Kyojuro because he’s loud and ridiculous and full of sunshine. But I love you because you’re steady, and honest, and brave enough to say things like this.”

His fingers tightened slightly around yours.

“…I don’t need you to be like him,” you added. “You’re who I want. Just as you are.”

He looked down at your intertwined hands. Then, finally, a small nod.