Random KNY one shots

MRYCHRISTMAS | {pt.5; UzuRen}

Theme: fluff

note: i forgot to do the 'pt.4' on the previous (obgy) oneshot but im too lazy to fix that

×××

It was winter when Tengen realized that he was in love. For his wives, it was hard to remember when he'd truly grown fond of them. Given that their marriage had been for the clan, initially, he hadn't loved them immediately. It was a gradual process, and he couldn't recall exactly when it hit him that he loved them. But somehow, it was easy to tell for Kyojuro.

For one thing, Kyojuro had always been very sudden, in a way. Bright and cheery, so optimistic. In the way that made it feel like the world didn't deserve someone as sweet as him. He was good at catching people off guard unintentionally because of how easy it was to relax around him. Equally, he'd popped into Tengen's life seemingly out of nowhere.

Admittedly, Tengen had been expecting Kyojuro to be something like his father. For a brief time, Tengen, Gyomei, and Shinjuro had all worked as the sole Hashira before others began popping up. But he was proven wrong with Kyojuro's stronger determination and energy full of smiles and laughter. The sunshine amongst the layers of shadows threatening to bury the Hashira under. As much as Sanemi might hate it, Kyojuro's optimism was most admirable. It wasn't something many Demon Slayers could muster. (Tengen included).

Easily, Tengen and Kyojuro got along. Two peas in a pod. Tengen could've called Kyojuro his best friend, at this point. Even if he'd known Gyomei for longer, Kyojuro still managed to become his closest friend amongst the Hashira. And he wasn't complaining.

Unbeknownst to either of them, Tengen was beginning to see Kyojuro in a new light. There were practically stars in his eyes when he saw the man, now, and he couldn't understand himself for it. Same sex relationships weren't the most common in Japan, and Tengen was only really vaguely aware of them. Which was why it took him until a day in the snow to realize that the feelings akin to the ones he loved his wives with was, truly, love.

Kyojuro had always loved every type weather. The coldest snowed-in days of winter were no exception. Therefore he was undeterred by the three feet of snow and dragged Tengen along giddily. Clouds obscured the sun from the sky, and they would likely have to get to their missions soon. But they allowed themselves a moment of content (somehow, despite the freezing temperature), wrapping up in scarves and hats and gloves to trudge around outside.

Understandably, Hinatsuru, Suma, and Makio refrained from following them out. But Kyojuro was insistent Tengen followed him and, simply because Kyojuro appeared like the most excited little puppy, he complied.

It was hard not to shiver as they traipsed into the snow, and Tengen was already in half mind bundling back inside. But then Kyojuro stopped, a wide grin spread over his face that enunciated the flush of his nose and cheeks from the cold as he waved his hands in a 'ta-da' motion.

Tengen peered at the blindingly white sheets of snow before realizing that it was now a blindingly white lopsided pile of snow. He cocked his head to the side, curious as to what he was looking at. Noticing his puzzlement, Kyojuro followed his gaze. Almost instantly, his smile turned into a pout and he hurried forward, moving to and fro trying to fix what he'd intended to show. When he turned back, triumphant with his quick fix, he did the waving-hand movement again.

It was some sort of snowman, melting ice barely keeping the not quite compact enough snow together into two spheres. There were two sticks lodged into either side of the torso, meant as arms, but one of them was in too far and the other was on the brink of falling out. Kyojuro's hasty makeovers on the failed snowman were loud and clear and made Tengen laugh. Kyojuro huffed, telling Tengen to stop mocking him. As Tengen went to reply, starting to deny such thing, his eyes flickered from the snowman, to Kyojuro, to the smile the fire-colored man was trying to suppress. And his words faltered, eyes widening a fraction as it hit him. Oh, fuck. Tengen loved him.

A bit concerned over the sudden mood swing, Kyojuro went to console him. But then, behind him, the snowman gave out and collapsed into a heap of snow and (two) branches. Kyojuro yelped as some of the snow decided to seep into his clothing and Tengen recovered, grinning as he tried to help stop the slushy ice from soaking Kyojuro and only succeeding in making it worse. They clambered back inside with the reassurance that they could try and make another snowman later, comforted with the warm tea Hinatsuru provided them and the change of clothes Suma offered. With the promise of no missions that day, from crows that arrived, and the little bit of free time they could gain from that, Kyojuro bed his goodbyes, assuring them that he'd be back another day. And still, Tengen was stuck on that single thought.

He went through the motions of changing and seeing Kyojuro out and drinking tea with his wives, but his mind blanked from his revelation.

It was winter when he realized he was in love with Kyojuro.

×××

« Word count: 890 »

it's a lil longer :D