A Different Pillar (Tomioka Giyu x Reader)

Karasutori

Waking up with your clothes sticking to your skin was not the best feeling in the world. The morning sun was now high in the sky as sunlight washed over your room. Your yukata sticking too much for your liking. And it wasn't just you. The person holding you in a tight grasp was sweating as well. With your cheeks glued to his chest, this was something you still had to get used to.

Stretching your limbs awake, Giyu shifted a bit and his eyes squinted at the blinding light greeting him a new day. Letting his hold on you loosen, he felt all clammy and in desperate need of a shower. Realizing he was the reason why he woke up like this, he bolted into a seating position, causing you to awaken.

"Hey. You okay?" You asked the messy haired man.

"I may have hugged you too tight." Giyu replied as he began to stand up and begin the day. Though that was just his reasoning, you were sure he was embarrassed at what he had done. Letting him and his feelings slide, you scanned the room for any sign of Karasutori's return. He would usually perch on the chair if he came back from a mission you sent him but he wasn't there.

Panic began to creep in. Jolting yourself up, you went to the window and whistled for him to come over. Your finger tapping on the sill. A few seconds passed and still no sight of a flying raven. This is not good. This is definitely not good. That phrase kept running through your head. Jumping at the sensation of a hand touching your shoulder, you were now face to face with Giyu.

Cupping both your cheeks, he gently wiped the tears running down your face.

"He's... He's not here. I sent him as a look out last night." Your breathing became erratic. Eyes traveling from one object to another. "What if something happened to him, Giyu?"

"I'm sure he's okay." Giyu reassured you. "Giving into panic will not make the situation any better. I know you want to change and run off into the forest but I will not allow that."

"And why not?" You conveyed your question a little too loud. Yet the person in front of you did not wince at all. "It's all my fault. I was gambling with such little information for him to take on. Why can't-"

"Because the best thing to do would be to clear your mind. You just woke up. Your stomach is empty. That all equates to rash actions and I will not risk you doing any of that." Giyu's hands slowly let go of your cheeks and held on to both your shoulders. Giving them a firm squeeze. "I know these aren't the words you want to hear from me. But right now, I'm speaking to you as a pillar."

He was right. Nodding your head, his grip softened. Transferring his hold to both your hands, he brought them up and gently kissed your knuckles. His thumb brushing your skin as delicately as his calloused finger could.

"He'll be okay. He's a raven, isn't he?" Giyu shifted his attitude and decided it was now time to let you hear what you wanted to. Seeing you hurt was one thing he did not want. "As far as I know, ravens are smarter compared to crows. I'll see to it that nothing will happen to him. You have my word."

Letting go of your hand, Giyu told you to stay put. Following his orders, you closed your eyes and began to use your total concentration breathing once more. The moment your eyes shut close, the darkness felt as if it were pulling you down. Each worst case scenario came rushing thru your head. Images of the demon catching Karasutori was all you could see. The scene gave you chills. You wanted out but you were in way too deep.

Your shoulders felt as if the weight of being a hashira had tripled. Not being able to protect your own messenger bird would stain your reputation.

As all those thoughts ran in your head, it abruptly stopped as well. Each negative emotion you held on to seemingly vanished. The darkness now washed away by a calming sensation.