Chapter Text
That night, Giyuu had trouble sleeping. The memory of the void, the overwhelming darkness pulling him away from this newfound life, haunted him. He wasn't one to deeply feel his emotions, but the anxiety from that experience lingered, making his body tense and restless. His mind raced, vividly stressing over the sensation of being torn from this peaceful reality.
The only comfort he found was in Shinobu's presence. Every time she moved in her sleep, she would cuddle even closer to him, wrapping her one arm around him as if grounding him in this dream world. Her warmth and the gentle rise and fall of her breathing soothed his nerves, anchoring him to the present moment.
Despite her comforting presence, Giyuu eventually gave up on sleep. Careful not to wake anyone, he slipped out of bed and decided to make breakfast for his family. Moving quietly through the house, he found himself in the kitchen, determined to surprise them with a meal.
As he began preparing the ingredients, he couldn't help but compare this Shinobu to the one in his reality. This Shinobu seemed more relaxed, her smiles coming more easily, free from the burdens and injuries that plagued her counterpart. He wondered if his reality's Shinobu ever dreamed of a life like this, where the constant threat of demons was no more.
He started with rice, washing and setting it to cook. The kitchen was simple yet organized, reflecting Shinobu's meticulous nature. He found himself smiling at the familiarity of it all. Next, he moved on to making miso soup, chopping vegetables with practiced ease. His thoughts drifted to the mornings in his reality, where he and Shinobu rarely had the luxury of a calm breakfast.
This Shinobu, he noted, had a softness in her eyes that he rarely saw in his own world. The weight of their shared battles had left its mark on the Shinobu he knew, but here, she seemed lighter, more at peace. He hoped, deep down, that this version of her existed somewhere in his world, even if just in fleeting moments.
Giyuu then prepared grilled fish. As he worked, the soft sounds of the house waking up reached his ears. Soon, little footsteps pattered towards the kitchen, and he turned to see Kanae and Sabito, their eyes still heavy with sleep.
"Daddy, you're making breakfast?" Kanae asked, rubbing her eyes.
Giyuu smiled warmly. "Yes. I thought I'd surprise everyone."
Sabito, still half-asleep, clung to Giyuu's leg. "Can we help?"
"Of course," Giyuu replied, ruffling his son's hair. "Why don't you two set the table?"
The children eagerly took on their task, their sleepy faces lighting up with excitement. As they bustled about, Giyuu felt a warmth in his chest. This was a life he could get used to, one filled with simple joys and the love of a family.
He turned his attention back to the breakfast, flipping the fish and stirring the soup. Kanae and Sabito's laughter filled the room, and he couldn't help but think about how different his life was in reality. There, they were constantly on guard, always ready for the next battle. Here, it was peaceful, almost idyllic.
When breakfast was ready, Giyuu called his family to the table. Shinobu appeared, looking refreshed despite the early hour. She smiled at the sight of the prepared meal, her eyes softening as she looked at Giyuu.
"You've outdone yourself," she said, sitting down and pulling Kanae onto her lap.
Giyuu felt a pang of longing, knowing that this serene moment was something he could only dream of in his reality. But for now, he chose to savor it. He took his seat, Sabito climbing onto his lap, and they began to eat.
As they shared the meal, Giyuu couldn't help but feel grateful for this dream world, even if it was temporary. It offered him a glimpse of what could be, a life where he and Shinobu could find happiness and peace.
"Thank you for breakfast, Daddy," Kanae said, her eyes shining with affection.
Giyuu smiled, his heart swelling with love for his family. "You're welcome, Kanae. Let's make today a good one."
And for that morning, in the warmth of his family's presence, Giyuu allowed himself to believe that this dream could be his reality.
As the day progressed, Giyuu immersed himself in the warmth and rhythm of family life. The morning had passed in a blur of playful moments and serene contentment. Shinobu had taken the children out for a walk, giving Giyuu some time to himself. He used this moment to reflect on his surroundings, the subtle differences between this dream world and his reality.
Evening approached, and Giyuu found himself back in the kitchen, preparing dinner. Tonight was special; they were expecting guests—Tanjiro and Kanao. Giyuu felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety, unsure how different they might be from the friends he knew in his reality.
Shinobu sensed his unease as she entered the kitchen to help. "It'll be fine," she reassured him, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "They're just like family."
Giyuu nodded, though he couldn't shake off the nervousness. He focused on the task at hand, slicing vegetables for the stir-fry. Soon, the aroma of cooking filled the house, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.
The doorbell rang, and Kanae and Sabito rushed to answer it, their excited voices echoing through the hallway. Giyuu heard Tanjiro's cheerful greeting and Kanao's soft laughter. When they entered the kitchen, he was struck by how subtly different they seemed. Tanjiro's eyes held the same determination, but there was a lightness to his demeanor, as if he carried fewer burdens. Kanao, too, appeared more open, her gaze softer and more at ease.
"Giyuu-san, it's good to see you!" Tanjiro said with a broad smile, offering a slight bow. Kanao stood beside him, her eyes reflecting a calm serenity.
"It's good to see you too, Tanjiro, Kanao," Giyuu replied, trying to match their warmth. He struggled to find the right words, feeling the weight of the differences between this dream and his reality.
They settled around the table, Kanae and Sabito chatting excitedly with their guests. Giyuu listened, occasionally adding a comment or two, but his mind kept drifting back to the versions of Tanjiro and Kanao he knew. Those versions had endured so much pain and loss, their faces often marked by exhaustion and resolve. Here, they seemed almost carefree, their laughter and smiles coming easily.
As dinner progressed, Giyuu found it increasingly difficult to engage in the light-hearted conversation. He felt like an outsider, watching a life that felt both familiar and foreign. He couldn't help but notice the small details—the way Tanjiro's eyes sparkled when he talked about his latest adventure, the way Kanao's smile lingered just a bit longer.
"Giyuu-san, you've been quiet," Kanao observed gently, her gaze meeting his.
Giyuu forced a smile, feeling the tension in his chest. "I'm just enjoying the moment," he replied, hoping it sounded sincere.
Shinobu, sensing his discomfort, steered the conversation towards familiar topics. "Tanjiro, how's Nezuko doing? I haven't seen her in a while."
Tanjiro's face lit up. "She's doing great! She's married to Zenitsu now, and they're expecting their first child. It's been wonderful to see her so happy. I'm sure we can all have a big dinner soon!"
Giyuu listened, his heart aching with a mixture of happiness and longing. It was hard to believe that a life like this would exist, where everyone was free from their burdens.
As the evening drew to a close, Tanjiro and Kanao prepared to leave. "Thank you for dinner, Giyuu-san, Shinobu-san," Tanjiro said, bowing deeply. "It was wonderful."
"Yes, thank you," Kanao added, her voice warm and sincere.
"You're always welcome here," Shinobu replied with a smile. "Come back anytime."
After they left, Giyuu stood by the door, lost in thought. Determined to distract himself, he moved into the living room and began tidying up. He meticulously washed the dishes, even though they were already clean, and wiped down the table with a damp cloth, rubbing harder than necessary. The monotonous tasks helped to occupy his mind, keeping it from dwelling on the differences between this dream world and his own reality.
He could sense Shinobu watching him, and it made him nervous. He felt vulnerable, as if by doing these tasks in such a manner, he was allowing her to see a different version of himself.
The kids had fallen asleep just a few minutes before their guests left. The day's activities had exhausted them completely, to the point where they were nodding off during dinner.
He slammed his hand on the table, letting the cloth drop, and brought his hand to clutch at his head. "Is this a possible future?" he hissed out, his nails digging into his skin.
He fell to his knees, exhaustion and frustration crashing over him like a tidal wave. "I'm tired of fighting demons. I'm tired of being hurt. I'm so sick and tired of it all," he murmured, his voice heavy with weariness and emotion.
Shinobu walked over, gently using her one arm to pull him upright from his position. "Come to bed," she whispered into his ear. He didn't say anything, but the tears in his eyes were close to spilling. He listened to her words and walked into their bedroom, changed, and settled into bed while he waited for her. With his eyes closed, he felt the bed shift as Shinobu lay down on top of him.
"I brought you here because it's easier for me to comfort you," Shinobu admitted with a slight smile. "I don't know if you know this about yourself yet, but you like close proximity when you get like that."
Then she turned around so she was straddling him, her hand gently caressing his neck. Leaning down, she whispered softly, "I think," Her lips lightly grazed his, before she pressed them fully against his. "You can accomplish whatever you want."
Giyuu's heart leaped, a blush spreading across his cheeks as a wave of shivers ran down his body, the anger from moments ago dissipating completely. He found himself feeling at ease, her touch and words calming his troubles away for the moment.
"All the Hashira are more determined than you realize," she whispered softly, her words hanging in the air. A few moments passed before she asked, "Was the kiss okay?"
Giyuu nodded silently, his arms enveloping her and drawing her closer. Shinobu's lips found his again, her hand tenderly resting on his neck as his hands settled on her hips.
When the kiss broke, Shinobu let her head rest against his chest. "It's okay to cry," she whispered softly.
And so, he cried.
