𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬

Shattared Facade

They've been assigned a mission together (the start of they're relationship development)

Iguro pov:

The night had settled over the forest like a heavy blanket, muffling the sounds of the world outside their small campsite. Obanai Iguro sat by the flickering campfire, the shadows of the flames dancing across his face. He tried to ignore the dull ache in his muscles and the irritation gnawing at his patience. Across from him, Giyuu Tomioka sat quietly, staring into the fire with an expression as unreadable as ever.

Obanai’s eyes flickered toward Giyuu, who had been unusually subdued throughout their journey. The man’s demeanor was the same as always cold and distant. It irritated Obanai to no end. Giyuu’s constant stiffness, his ever-present frown, and the way he seemed to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders were infuriating.

"I don’t like him very much," Obanai muttered under his breath, watching Giyuu from the corner of his eye. "He always looks miserable, which irks me."

The night air was crisp and carried a slight chill. Obanai’s irritation was as sharp as the edge of his blade, but as he sat there, his thoughts were interrupted by an unexpected shift. Giyuu, breaking the silence, spoke up. “Do you ever feel like... it’s all too much?”

Obanai’s brow furrowed. He wasn’t used to Giyuu initiating conversation, especially not about personal matters. He looked at Giyuu, who was still staring at the fire, his expression softened by its glow. “What are you talking about?”

Giyuu shrugged slightly. “Sometimes I wonder if we’re really making a difference. We fight and we kill demons, but... does it ever feel like we’re just pushing against an endless tide?”

Obanai’s initial instinct was to dismiss Giyuu’s words as self-indulgent whining. But something in the quiet intensity of Giyuu’s voice made him pause. He had seen Giyuu in action—his skill was undeniable, his dedication unshakeable. Still, Obanai had never considered the personal raging it might take on him.

“Is that why you always act so distant?” Obanai’s voice was sharper than he intended. “You think it’ll make it easier to handle?”

Giyuu’s eyes met his, and for a moment, Obanai saw a flicker of vulnerability he hadn’t expected. “No. It’s just... how I’ve learned to cope. If I let myself feel too much, it becomes overwhelming.”

The confession was so out of character for Giyuu that it threw Obanai off balance. He shifted uncomfortably, unsure of how to respond. “You’re not the only one who feels that way.”

Giyuu’s lips quirked slightly, but he didn’t say anything more. Obanai could tell that Giyuu’s rare openness had exhausted him, and the conversation ended as abruptly as it had started. Obanai lay down, staring up at the  stars, the conversation replaying in his mind.

In the days that followed, Obanai’s irritation with Giyuu began to wane. He observed Giyuu more closely during their missions. He noticed the careful way Giyuu handled his sword, the precision in his movements, and how he always seemed to anticipate the enemy’s moves. Giyuu was competent, that much was clear, zut Obanai began to see that his cold demeanor was more a shield than a reflection of his true self.

During a particularly fierce battle with demons, their cooperation was tested in ways it hadn’t been before The demons were relentless, their attacks synchronized in a way that required both Giyuu and Obanai to act in perfect harmony. It was in these moments, fighting side by side, that Obanai found himself grudgingly admiring Giyuu’s combat skills. The way Giyuu movedfluid and instinctive—revealed a side of him that Obanai had never considered.

As they fought, they fell into an unspoken rhythm, each protecting the other, each anticipating the other’s moves. It was a dance of survival, and for the first time, Obanai felt a strange sort of camaraderie with Giyuu. The animosity that had once seemed so natural now felt misplaced.

Back at the camp that night, as they cleaned their gear and tended to their wounds, Obanai found himself reflecting on their earlier conversation. He caught sight of Giyuu, who was tending to his own injuries with a meticulousness that spoke of both experience and care.

Obanai’s thoughts drifted to Mitsuri Kanroji. He had always admired her kindness and strength, and his feelings for her had been a source of both inspiration and frustration. Seeing Giyuu in a new light, he realized that his feelings for Mitsuri had colored his perception of Giyuu. He had been so focused on his own insecurities and desires that he hadn’t taken the time to understand the person standing beside him.

In a rare moment of vulnerability, Obanai decided to break the silence. “You’re not as useless as I thought you were.”

Giyuu looked up, surprise flickering in his eyes.

Obanai nodded, a hint of a smile on his lips. “Just... don’t think this means I like you or anything. I still don’t.”

Giyuu’s gaze softened slightly, though he didn’t respond. The acknowledgment, however grudging, was enough to bridge a gap that had seemed insurmountable.

As the night wore on and the campfire’s glow dimmed, Obanai felt a shift within himself. The barriers he had erected around his heart, built on prejudice and resentment, were beginning to crumble. He still had much to work through but for the first time he was willing to see Giyuu as more than just an obstacle or irritant.

The road ahead was long and fraught with challenges, but Obanai felt a tentative hope that perhaps, in time, he could come to understand and even respect the man he had once despised.

---

**Author’s Note:**
Thank you for reading! In this chapter, we’ve delved into Obanai’s internal struggles and his shifting perspective on Giyuu. As their journey continues, expect more moments of growth and understanding between these two complex characters. Your support means a lot, and if you enjoy stories with intricate relationships and slow-burn romances, feel free to check out my other works!