The two of you lay side by side in bed, staring up at the ceiling. Kyojuro, who was usually so full of energy, seemed unusually calm tonight. His hand was warm, resting lightly on yours, his thumb absentmindedly tracing small circles against your skin.

Then, out of nowhere, his voice broke through the stillness.

“Do you ever think about what life would be like if we didn’t have to fight anymore?” His voice was softer than usual, almost hesitant, a far cry from the usual booming confidence he carried during the day. “I mean, if the demons were all gone,” he continued, staring up at the ceiling as though the answer might be written in the stars above, “what would we do with ourselves? With our lives?”