Burnt Out || Rengoku Kyojiro x Tomioka Giyuu

[5] He's Still Here

I would warn for spoilers but I think we're way past that at this point lmao- some descriptions of g.re and violence-

Silence. That was all I could hear around me and it was deafening. It was the afternoon and I was sitting in my living room. I couldn't go into Kyojiro's room or I'd risk exposing him to the sunlight. So I had to sit in my own thoughts with nothing better to do. My brain swam with random memories of people who sadly.. are not even here with me anymore. I would never see them again. I felt myself space out as memories flashed in my mind.

~+*+*+*+*~

My big sister, Tsutako. She was to be married the next day and I was sitting with her in a small cabin we ha rented. When I was small, my parents passed away of illness. I remember.. I didn't fully understand why or how it happened. All that clicked was that they were gone. So my older sister raised me. She was my best friend. No matter what I always knew that she would be there for me.

Tomorrow was her wedding day. I was still super young so, she and her new husband agreed that they would still care for me. I was grateful to both of them. Anyways, we were sitting in a room only lit by some candles. Tsutako was sitting in front of me and I sat on a mall chair behind her. Night had already fallen outside and we were spending some quality time together.

I was braiding her hair, occasionally putting flowers in it. This was an activity we did often. It helped calm both of our nerves, and lord knows there were a lot of them that night. Everything felt right. There was a cool breeze blowing through the window, the candles burned brightly. Then the scratching noise came from outside, growling as well. Tsutako snapped her head up and I could tell something was wrong. She grabbed a handful of a flower and shoved it into my pockets. "Giyuu.. Listen to me do not panic.." She started although clearly she was panicking. "Everything is okay. Just go inside the closet and don't come out." She hugged me briefly before hurrying me to the closet.

I was scared. Terrified. What was going on and why was she acting this way?! The sound of the door bursting open could be heard around the cabin. There was shuffling and screaming, and tears until everything went dead silent. When it went quiet I burst out of the closet. I wish I hadn't. I wish I had died in that closet. Because I saw my sister, covered in blood with huge chunks taken out of her flesh. I wanted to throw up. I ran up and hook her. "Tsutako! Tsutako! Say something!" I wailed for her. But it was too late. She was gone.. The one who protected me all these years.. she was gone and I couldn't go back and save her.

The scene changed. I was on the mountain with Urokodaki, Sabito, and Makomo. Were were all standing in a line, thanking Urokodaki-sensei for training us before we headed off to Final Selection. We were chatting, talking about our memories and how cool it would be to be a demon slayer. These were my bet friends. Together we were unstoppable. And we were all so sure we'd make it through.

We were foolish. Got ahead of ourselves. Because the next thing we know, I'm running through the forest, clutching a bloodied haori. Sabito's haori. I've almost completely blocked the image from my mind by now. All that truly registered was that Sabito and Makomo were no more. One torn to shreds, the others head completely crushed. It was sickening. I couldn't stand it. I let them down. I failed them just like I failed my sister. I couldn't do anything.

The scene changed again. It was the day that I was told my lover had died in battle. I felt that same sorrow and panic before I brought myself out of my own thoughts.

My breathing was ragged and there were tears rolling down my face. It's all.. so real. And scary and.. I looked out the window to see night had fallen. I rushed to Rengoku's room quick and opened to door to see him just laying on his bed, muzzle on the night stand. He looked at me with concern, "Giyuu what's the matter?" He asked.

I simply ran up and hugged him tight. He's still here. Oh thank god he's still here. I felt my chest heave with sobs as I clung to him. His strong arms wrapped around me, stroking my back soothingly. "Shh.." I heard him whisper. I was so worked up I almost didn't hear him. All I could do was nuzzle into him.

After a good hour of cuddling and reassurance I fell asleep. I was content. I was being held by the most important person in the world. He's here with me. And this time.. I will not fail in protecting the one I love. I will make sure my loved one didn't die for nothing and that I will protect a many people a possible from the same fate. But for now it' just me and my fiery lover, Rengoku Kyojiro. For now and forever. The way it should be.

Holy cow 100+ Reads?  Doesn't sound like much but this is huge for me!  Thank you guys <3  I really hope you all are enjoying this book <3