Afterdark (Aoi x Male Reader)

A gray day

The skies are sad.

A soothing drizzle fell like a cry from the gray clouds.

Silhouettes were around an open grave. From the distance you could tell who they are.

Shinobu sobbed while clinging to Tomioka Giyu. Kanao was shaken, her eyes big as plates and her lips sealed. Just like back then before she met Tanjiro and Aoi... she couldn't bear to watch as the coffin descends to the earth once again.

(YN) squeezed her hand and lent her shoulder as much as she needed. It was the second time she let her tears out for the lose of someone loved. This time, he will he there to support her.

"From the earth we come, to the earth we return." Ubuyashiki began his speech "Kanae Kocho served under me during all her career, she was an exceptional agent, not only out in the field but also as a person. Her smile was contagious, nobody could escape her charms, her positive attitude could lift your spirit with a simple word. She had a motherly love for everyone, being the oldest of four, she took the role with all seriousness and encouraged her sisters to be what they wanted to be. Two of them followed her steps as a police officer, the other is the best doctor you can find. She, left this world with no regrets and we will always remember her for who she was. That beautiful flower that stood out even surrounded by other flowers."

When the coffin began his descent, Shinobu exploded.

"No! No! Nee-san, don't put her in there, please! Nee-San!" It took Tomioka and Rengoku to hold her back.

Kanao for the first time showed something. Her eyes became teary and couldn't help but to let the tears out. Losing the girl who saved her, her sister, her mother figure. It was a blow that not even her frozen heart could endure.

Aoi... she steeled herself, more pride and respect than any other sentiment. She knew that her older sister wouldn't want to see her cry. Kanae was the kind of girl to find the good things in the worst moments. Even in this moment, she would say something about going to a better place or having a good life full of precious memories.

Honestly. How can someone find a good side to this?

"I'm here." (YN) reminded while hugging her, even if it doesn't help at all. It's better than having no one there to share the pain, he could relate to that.

At the end of the day. Only Sanemi and (YN) remained in front of the grave. Giyu had to give his best to drag the amethyst butterfly out of there. She gave up after some minutes, more accurate to say would be that she lost strength in all her limbs and they could finally get her away.

Her sisters decided to share the loss with her and left after the now oldest of the Kocho sisters.

"Sanemi..."

Before (YN) could say something, the hands of the wind pillar tugged his shirt. His eyes bloodshot and he bared his fangs like a wolf.

"You fuck, don't you dare say anything, don't pity me!"

The tombstone has the next epitaph: Here lies Kanae Kocho, beloved sister and friend.

There was no need for him to say that. (YN) knew it already. No word can heal that pain, no sentence can mend the damage, not even a speech could repair his shattered heart.

"I'm not pitying you. I can relate to the same pain as you." He put his hands in Sanemi's shoulders "You should know that better than anyone."

"Krregh. You... you..."

He sniffed and his breath became heavy. He was to stubborn and prideful to accept it or even to let a sound out.

But everyone has to let the grief out and tears are one of the best solutions.