The Sound of Silence.

1

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Kyojuro Rengoku stepped out into the daylight from his home, a light breeze reminding him of the upcoming storm. The birds chirped in the trees, the leaves rustled at the edge of the trail. A crow cawed in the distance, drawing the hashira's attention in its direction.

The crow landed on his shoulder, letting him know of an upcoming mission. It was short, a simple visit to a nearby village to check out a demon and destroy it before it caused anymore harm to the residents. He thanked the crow, watching it beat its wings then disappear in the distance. Kyojuro had promised to visit his best friend, Tengen Uzui, as it may be the only time for the next week they would see eachother. The sound hashira had a mission with Giyuu Tomioka in the mountains that he was to depart for later today.

Kyojuro breathed in, enjoying the smell of the summer air. As he walked he listened, greeting his neighbours and taking note of a new family to welcome later.

He arrived at the Sound estate quickly, knocking on the door only for it to open to Suma.

"Hello Rengoku!"

"Hello Mrs. Uzui!" Kyojuro bowed, "is your husband here today?"

She smiled and nodded, stepping to the side to welcome him in. He thanked her and entered the estate as she spoke, "he's here! He's out back, i believe he was training a few minutes ago."

Kyojuro thanked her again, finding the backyard easily and looking around. He noticed Tengen's uniform laying on a branch nearby, but no Tengen. He walked towards it, looking around but seeing no one.

"Tengen!" Kyojuro called, clasping his hands around his mouth to project his voice more. There was a splash behind a bush and Kyojuro turned to the noise.

"Kyo!" A familiar voice sounded behind it, "give me a seco-" before Tengen could finish Kyojuro was standing a foot away from the spring. And embarrassed blush crossing his face seeing his best friend in the steamy water, his hair down, his body open to the elements.. his chest and abs at full display. A thought passed over the Flame hashira's mind, he kind of wanted to touch them.. but he brushed it off as just an admiration for his best friend.

"S-SORRY!" Kyojuro exclaimed, bowing repeatedly apologetically, "I DIDN'T INTEND TO WALK IN ON YOU, TENGEN UZUI!"

Tengen laughed, his voice smooth and calm as he spoke, "it's fine! We're both guys, it's nothing you haven't seen. C'mon! Come join me!" Tengen motioned to the multiple open spaces in the spring, "plus you wanted to hang out today so might as well get the most out of it!"

Kyojuro sighed, standing straight and messing with his fingers nervously, "you sure?"

"Yeah!" Tengen smiled.

Kyojuro undressed but hesitated on his underwear, this was so awkward. He wasn't against it, but to undress directly in the line of sight of his friend felt.. weird.

Tengen noticed his pause, "you don't have to, but i thought it would be nice to soak and chat!"

Kyojuro nodded, forcing himself to go through with this. He placed his stuff on a rock nearby, slipping into the water. His muscles relaxing quickly as the steam enveloped his body and skin. Tengen laughed at his sudden composure, "you relaxed quickly!"

"Mhm.." Kyojuro hummed, closing his eyes and leaning against the side of the spring. The hashira spoke, talking about the changing weather, their friends, their opinions on the three new demon slayers and the demon kid they had encountered recently. But they never spoke of them selves, never sharing their feelings or thoughts on eachother. That wasn't.. normal. Right? To not ask how the other is doing?

Kyojuro sighed, Tengen stopping his ramblings about his wives and looking at his friend, "what's up?"

"Oh! Apologies! I was just thinking! Mind if i ask you something?"

Tengen shook his head, shifting a bit to better face his friend, "I don't!"

"How are you doing? You don't talk about your own feelings much as of late!"

Tengen was slightly taken aback about the normal question, thinking for a bit then smiling, "well I'm doing good, I have a mission later with Tomioka! Did I tell you about that?"

"Glad you're alright, you didn't tell me about the mission! When do you leave?"

Tengen glanced above the canopy, "in about an hour actually! Aw man." He frowned.

Kyojuro laughed, "it's alright! We should get out now though!"

Tengen agreed and they climbed out, Kyojuro couldn't help but glance at his friend as he had his back to the younger hashira. The way his body moved in a smooth motion, how his muscles flexed - as weird as that was to think - whenever he extended his arm to grab something. Tengen finished changing and started to turn around, Kyojuro quickly put his underwear and pants back on. He can't be caught staring! It's wrong. Plus he's just.. admiring him.

He found himself glancing over at the sound hashira once more, his eyes trailing from his face down to his- kyojuro! Get it together! He looked back up and made direct eye contact with Tengen, his face flushed a red as he realized his friend had caught him staring.

"A-AH- IM SO SORRY-" kyojuro apologied frantically, spinning around to face the opposite direction.

"Kyoooo it's okayyy!" Tengen admitted, "i don't mind at all! If you ever.. I guess what to look you can ask!"

Kyojuro felt a presence directly behind him, Tengen voice closer yet quieter.. and deeper.. and..., hotter. "You can always touch, too~"

Kyojuro stammered, struggling to form fluid sentences, "y-you- but- it weird.. you sure? I don't-"

Tengen cut him off, "it's not weird, it's curiosity. I'm sure, I do not care! You're my best friend I'm sure I'd want to check you out a few times aswell. Hell, I already have!" Tengen admitted that so nonchalantly.

Kyojuro blushed even more, staring at his friend in shock. How did he just? He admitted it? So freely? Kyojuro was beyond shocked.

Tengen leaned on one leg, placing his left hand on his hip and covering his mouth as he laughed with his free one, "you good there, buddy?"

"Y-Yeah! It's best we get going!" Kyojuro reminded, quickly finishing clothing himself. Tengen agreed, the two leaving the small spring and stopping on the road. Giyuu approached them, standing a few feet away.

The quiet Hashira greeted them, turning to Tengen, "it's time to go."

Kyojuro wished them luck, turning to opposite direction and heading down the road. Time to go patrol a village!