𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬

Strength in Vulnerability

he sun hung low in the sky as Obana and Giyuu found a quiet corner of the Ubuyashiki estate after the Hashira meeting. The tension from earlier lingered in the air, but now, it was just the two of them, away from the eyes and judgments of their comrades.

Obanai leaned against a tree, the tree rough against his back, while Giyuu sat cross-legged on the grass, looking up at him. The golden light of the setting sun bathed them both in warmth, casting a serene glow over the moment.

“Do you think they’ll ever fully accept us?” Obanai asked, his voice low as he broke the comfortable silence. There was a hint of vulnerability in his tone, a soft crack in his usually stoic demeanor.

Giyuu looked thoughtful, his dark eyes reflecting the fading light. “Acceptance takes time. But I believe they want to support us, even if they’re struggling to understand.” He shifted slightly, his gaze steady. “Sanemi may act tough, but I think deep down, he cares about all of us. It’s just hard for him to express it.”

Obanai felt a warmth in Giyuu’s words. “You’re right. It’s easy to forget that sometimes.” He took a deep breath, trying to let go of the lingering doubts that had settled in his heart. “I just… I don’t want to be a burden.”

“You could never be a burden to me,” Giyuu said firmly, his voice carrying an earnestness that made Obanai’s heart race. “You’re one of the strongest people I know. You’ve faced so much and still stand tall(A/N:ahem short). That’s why I admire you.”

The praise made Obanai’s cheeks heat up, but he kept his gaze steady. “And you have your own strength. You’ve overcome your past too. You’re not just a calm facade; you’re resilient, Giyuu.”

“Thank you,” Giyuu replied softly, a hint of shyness creeping into his voice. “I guess we both have our demons to face, don’t we?”

Obanai nodded, a shadow passing over his expression. “I lost my family to demons and for what they've done to me... i'm hapy they're gone... I thought I could never find happiness again. It took me so long to open up, even to myself. When I finally let my guard down, I was terrified of being hurt again.”

Giyuu reached out, placing a hand over Obanai’s. “You’re not alone anymore. We can face whatever comes our way together. I won’t let you fall.”

Obanai’s heart surged at Giyuu’s words. “You make me feel safe, Giyuu. For the first time, I can see a future beyond just being a Hashira. You give me hope.”

Their eyes locked, and in that moment, the world around them faded away. It was just the two of them, their bond deepening with unspoken understanding.

“Let’s promise each other something,” Giyuu said, his voice earnest. “No matter what happens, we’ll always communicate. If there’s something troubling you, let me know. Don’t hide it from me.”

Obanai felt a swell of emotion at the sincerity in Giyuu’s tone. “I promise. I’ll do my best to be open with you.”

“And I promise to do the same,” Giyuu added, squeezing Obanai’s hand gently. “We’ll be each other’s support, always.”

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their promises hanging in the air. Then Giyuu broke the stillness, a playful glint in his eyes. “So, what’s the plan now? How do we celebrate our little victory?”

Obanai chuckled softly, the lightness in Giyuu’s voice pulling him out of his earlier somber mood. “Victory? I think we still have a long way to go before we can call this a victory.”

“True,” Giyuu admitted, leaning back on his hands, his posture relaxed. “But we can at least enjoy this moment. How about we train together? We can work on our forms, and then I can show you my new technique.”

“Training, huh? Is this your idea of a date?” Obanai teased, a smile creeping onto his face.

Giyuu raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. “It can be if you want it to be. We could even call it ‘team-building.’”

“Then I guess we should get started,” Obanai replied, his heart lifting at the light banter.

They rose to their feet, and as they prepared to train, the air between them crakled with a new kind of energyone that was filled with trust and undrstanding.

---

In the days that followed, Obanai and Giyuu spent nearly every moment together. Their training sessions became a blend of rigorous practice and shared laughter, both of them finding joy in the company of the other. The bond between them deepened, transforming the initial hesitations into something beautiful.

One evening, after a particularly grueling training session, they sat on the porch of the Ubuyashiki estate, watching the sun dip below the horizon. The sky was painted with hues of orange and pink, casting a warm glow over their faces.

“Do you remember the first time we fought together?” Giyuu asked, his tone nostalgic.

Obanai laughed softly, the memory flooding back. “How could I forget? You were so focused on the demon that you barely acknowledged I was there until it was over.”

Giyuu chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “Yeah, I was a little preoccupied. But you fought like a true warrior. I was impressed.”

“I was terrified!” Obanai admitted, his laughter fading. “I thought I would fail, but seeing you in action gave me strength. You were so calm, so composed. It inspired me to push through.”

“Really?” Giyuu’s surprise was evident, his gaze focused on Obanai. “I had no idea. I just wanted to protect you and everyone else.”

Obanai felt a wave of warmth wash over him. “And you did. You always do. Your strength makes me want to be better. It makes me feel like I can face my fears.”

Giyuu turned serious, his expression softening. “I want you to know that it’s okay to be scared, Obanai. Fear is natural, especially in our line of work. What matters is how we confront that fear. And I’ll be right there with you, always.”

Obanai’s heart raced at the sincerity in Giyuu’s words. “You’re right. I need to let go of the past, to stop letting it define who I am now. I want to be someone who fights not just for duty but for something more something worth protecting.”

“Exactly,” Giyuu replied, his voice filled with encouragement. “We fight for each other, for our friends, and for the future. Together, we can take on anything.”

As the sun sank lower, painting the sky in darker shades, Obanai leaned against Giyuu, feeling the comfort of his presence. “Thank you, Yuu. For everything. I don’t think I would have made it this far without you.”

Giyuu turned to him, their eyes locking once again. “You’ve always had the strength within you, Obi. I just helped you find it. And I’ll always be here to remind you of that strength.”

In that moment, the warmth of the evening wrapped around them, and Obanai felt an overwhelming sense of hope for the future. They had faced their pasts, and now, with each other’s support, they were ready to confront whatever challenges lay ahead.