The Sound of Silence.

3

『』ღ

Today was the day. Today, after forever - it's been seven days - Tengen was returning.

Kyojuro closed his eyes, hoping to see where he was. The vision was blurry, there was a lot of greenery. A few moments later there was a distorted house, Kyojuro recognized the house and bolted towards the door. A second later there was a knock and he opened it, nearly blowing it off its hinges.

There stood Tengen, his hand hovering to knock a second time but shocked to see his best friend standing there was the biggest smile.

"TENGEN!!" Kyo screamed joyfully, jumping at him and pulling him into the biggest hug he could manage.

At first the sound hashira was surprised but eventually burst out in laughed and the two sunk to the floor in a hug.

"You really missed me, huh?" Tengen asked as he shifted to sit more comfortably.

"I- eh hem." Kyojuro pulled back immediately, realising his outburst and apologising, "sorry! Sorry! I did, yeah! Everyone else is either busy or has someone to hang out with, yknow?"

Tengen rolled his eyes, "I missed you too Buddy, don't worry!" He stood, dragging Kyo up with him.

"You want to join me and Tomioka to walk to my estate?" Tengen said, stepping out of the way as Kyojuro glanced away in embarrassment. He realized Giyuu had seen that whole thing.

He noticed the water hashira's smirk and spoke up, "don't smirk at me! i know you have the hots for the wind hashira, Mr!"

Now Giyuu became flustered, eyes widened in embarrassment and Kyojuro felt accomplished. Kyojuro then turned to Tengen, agreeing to walk and the trio made their way down the path.

Senjuro stood in the window watching them leave, if only the two idiots could just realise they like each-other already then he could stop walking in on his older brother like... getting all giddy and happy on the floor that Senjuro was tasked to clean.

Upon arriving at the sound estate, Tengen's wives greeted him. Offering the other hashira's food or water to which they both declined. Tomioka soon left, saying he had to go sleep since he was tired.

"Hey girls, you don't mind if Kyo stays with us for the night, right? I was thinking we could all hang out and maybe do some.. games~!"

Kyojuro looked at Tengen in surprise but he honestly wasn't against the idea. They agreed, inviting him in and they all sat in the living room. Makio pulling out a bottle with a grin, "I think we all know the first game."

Kyojuro tilted his head, "ring toss?"

She stared at him blankly and Tengen chuckled, "no no, that's for carnivals! We're in private! We're playing, spin the bottle!"

I'm using one of those wheel thingies for this so bare with me 💀

Kyojuro hummed, he had never played but he heard from a few other hashira that it was fun, "alright! Who's first?"

Tengen spoke up, "I'll go first!"

He grabbed the bottle and spun it, the glass clinking then slowing to a stop and pointing to Tengen.

"So how does that work?" Kyojuro asked, genuinely curious.

"I've got to spin again!" To which he did. The bottle spun fast then slowed and landed on Suma. He leaned over and gave her a kiss on the forehead then returned to his seat.

Kyojuro was up next, great, "this game is so odd!" He admitted but spun anyways, watching it slow the closer it got to Tengen. And then it stopped.. on Makio. He sighed, unsure if it was out of sadness he couldn't kiss Tengen or just the relief to get this over with. Kyojuro gave Makio a kiss on the check then returned to his spot.

The game went on for a while, Tengen seemed to be getting desperate but Kyojuro couldn't tell you what for. They eventually ended it and Kyojuro laid on the couch since he was allowed, it was quite comfortable too. Wow. He squished it, feeling suddenly sleepy at its comfort. He shut his eyes and enjoyed the moment.

A few minutes pass, the girls go to the kitchen to make dinner - Tengen offered to help but they said they were fine - leaving the half asleep Flame hashira and the Sound hashira, with a secret motive, alone. Suddenly a weight came over Kyojuro, the couch sinking around him. he opened his eyes to Tengen hovering above him, his arms on the cushion under Kyojuro's head.

His face flushed a deep red, he covered it and curled up. Tengen chuckled, grabbing Kyojuro and shifting their spots so the blushing flame user could sleep next to Tengen against his body. Surprisingly it was comfortable, Kyojuro fell asleep immediately and even pulled Tengen close in a cuddle position! Tengen was so happy he could be here forever.

Eventually Uzui got up to eat, not moving his friend and attempting to not wake him. It failed, Kyojuro blinked open his eyes and smelt the familiar scent of food. Though he didn't point it out, Tengen could tell the younger hashira was hungry. They joined the girls yet Kyo stood off to the side, luckily Tengen noticed this behavior.

"Hey buddy! Come join us and eat! There's plenty for everyone."

Kyojuro was hesitant but took the offer, sitting down at the table and watching the others eat first before digging in. The meal was delicious, Kyojuro exclaiming "UMAI!" After ever bite. The first two, maybe three, times it scared the Uzui's. Around the fourth he thought he deserved to explain his reasoning behind the gesture.

"Apologies, I was taught to savour every bite as you never know which might be your last!"

"Ohh.. it's fine!" Tengen said, the wives agreeing. He continued, "it's funny but also stops me from dozing off mid-bite."

"Which you do a lot!" Suma commented.

"Hey! I need to get my beauty sleep!"

"In a bowl of Miso Soup?!"

"Sure!"

Kyojuro laughed at their exchange, continuing digging in and listening to them bicker for a while before they all promptly returned to eating. That night was.. interesting. Kyojuro helped clean the dishes as he felt it would make his stay more comforting but the conversation he had with Tengen afterwards was stuck in his mind. And what the man had done.. oh my goodness.