Flames Of Devotion (Genya x female Reader)

10. Homecoming

The morning sun streamed through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the ground as I began my journey home.
Birds sang their morning songs, and the forest was alive with the sounds of nature. Despite the beauty around me, I had to take frequent breaks due to my injuries.
My wounds still throbbed painfully, a reminder that it had only been three days since the battle. Unlike demons, my body did not heal quickly.
After the grueling mission, I felt both exhausted and relieved as I approached the familiar house.
The journey back was long and arduous, but the thought of seeing familiar faces kept me going.

As I neared the house, the door burst open. Genya stood there, eyes wide with worry and relief. "Y/N! You're back!" he exclaimed, rushing forward. His usual stoic demeanor was replaced with genuine concern.
I smiled weakly. "I'm home, Genya."
Genya took in my bandaged chest and the fatigue in my eyes. "I heard about the demon... Are you alright?" he asked, his voice soft but urgent.
He scanned me up and down, noting all the bandages but refraining from asking more.
I nodded. "I'm fine, just a bit banged up." Genya sighed in relief but then his expression turned serious. "You should have seen me before leaving. I was worried sick."
"I'm sorry, Genya. I didn't want to trouble you," I replied, feeling a twinge of guilt.
"You never trouble me," Genya said firmly. "You're important to me, Y/N."

Rengoku appeared in the doorway, smiling warmly. "Welcome back, Y/N. I knew you would succeed."
I felt a surge of pride at Rengoku's words. "Thank you, Rengoku."

His smile faded slightly as he took in my appearance. "How is your body feeling? What about all those bandages? Do you need more medical help?"
I sighed. "I might need new bandages since my wound doesn't heal quickly. The demon I fought clawed into my chest with his sharp fingers, and now there's a big wound."
I looked down at the ground. Genya's eyes widened at my words, and though he didn't say anything, you could see the anger and concern in his eyes. "I'll take care of you, Y/N," Genya said suddenly and held my hand. I blushed at the sudden contact and looked back at him.
"That's kind of you, Genya. I'm glad you were here waiting with me for Y/N," Rengoku said. "Please come in," he insisted.

As the three of us entered the house, the atmosphere was filled with warmth and camaraderie. Over dinner, I recounted the battle, the villagers' plight, and the fight against the demon. Genya listened intently, his eyes never leaving my face, while Rengoku ate meal after meal like he was watching an exciting movie.
After dinner, Genya insisted on cleaning my wound since it was quite difficult for me to do it on my own. We went to my room, and Rengoku brought new bandages.
"Here, let me help you," Genya said and began to unwrap the old bandages. The sight of the used bandages was unsettling, and I quickly put them aside, reaching for the new ones.

"Can I look now?" Genya asked, averting his gaze out of respect.
"Yes, you can... Be careful, please," I replied, my voice tinged with anxiety. The wound still hurt immensely, and I was scared any touch would cause more pain. As Genya turned to face me, he looked down at the wound. His eyes widened slightly at the sight of the gash that extended from below my neck to my right breast. He remained silent, focusing on the task at hand. His touch was gentle, but the alcohol stung, causing me to wince."Please be careful," I repeated, my eyes fixed on the wound, unable to meet his gaze.
"I'm done, Y/N," Genya said softly. I still couldn't look at him, feeling a deep sense of shame about my marred skin. "What's wrong?" he asked, gently lifting my chin so our eyes met. He could sense my insecurity and tried to comfort me.
"Listen... I know the scar will be there for your whole life, but it doesn't matter. You're still the same. I think you're still very beautiful, Y/N," he stuttered through the last sentence.
A tear slipped down my face as I looked at him."Thank you, Genya... Thanks for being here for me," I said with a small smile. He smiled back, wiping away my tears.
"Let me bandage you now, Y/N. I want to spend some time with you after we're done," he said, beginning to wrap my chest carefully. I blushed at his words but felt safe with him, allowing him to finish the job.

"I'm all finished," he said, looking proud of his work.
"Thank you, Genya. I'm happy you're here with me," I said and hugged him. He blushed but hugged me back warmly.

He held out his hand for me, and I took it. He led me outside, still holding my hand. We arrived at a hill five minutes away from Rengoku's estate. Rengoku knew about Genya's plans and didn't interrupt us.
"Here we are. Please sit down," Genya insisted. I sat down on a blanket spread on the grass, impressed by his thoughtful preparations.

Genya and I sat under the stars. "You really scared me, you know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I know. I'll be more careful next time," I promised, looking at Genya with determination.
Genya smiled softly. "Good. Because I can't lose you."

We sat in silence, our hands touching, looking up at the midnight sky. The stars shone brightly, and the moment felt perfect and peaceful, a beautiful contrast to the chaos and pain of the past few days. I leaned my head on Genya's shoulder, feeling his warmth.

"Genya," I started softly, breaking the comfortable silence. "Why did you join the Demon Slayer Corps?"

He paused for a moment, considering his answer. "To protect the ones I care about. To make sure no one else loses their family to demons like I did."
Little did I know this wasn't the complete truth. There were more reasons for him. Reasons which he didn't like to talk about.
Genya looked at me, waiting for a response.

I nodded, understanding his pain. "It's the same for me. I joined to protect those who can't protect themselves. To make sure no one else has to suffer." I indeed wanted to help others who are too weak to help themselves. They shouldn't loose loved ones like I did. Everyone deserves to live a happy life.

Genya squeezed my hand gently. "We're in this together, Y/N. We'll keep fighting, and we'll keep protecting each other." He looked at me with a lovely smile.

I smiled, feeling a sense of solidarity and comfort in his words.
"Yes, together."

We continued to sit in silence, our hands intertwined, finding solace in each other's presence. The night was peaceful, and for the first time in days, I felt truly at ease. The stars seemed to shine brighter, casting a gentle glow over us. It was a moment of tranquility and connection, one that I would cherish forever.

(Sorry this chapter is a bit shorter but it's just an additional one to the mission😭)