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The sudden temperature change awakens Sanemi from his slumber, goosebumps erupting over his body as the cool night air brushes along his exposed skin. With heavy eyes, he glances to his right. Tomioka stays blissfully asleep, starfished in the middle of the futon, their blanket wrapped around his waist and a rouge leg pointed towards Sanemi, the culprit to his rude awakening. He gets off the floor with a stretch, glancing at the sky through the open window and catching the tail end of daybreak. He’s awake earlier than he wants to be and debates going back to bed. Remnants of petrichor and white birch clinging to him, beckoning him back into the warm embrace of the body sleeping next to him.
He ignores it in favor of putting on his uniform, forcing himself out of the temporary bubble of bliss and ignorance, where his mind and body can rest, the weight of his responsibilities and hardships lightened. This was a rare night for them, free from nighttime patrols and missions. Unfortunately, while Sanemi would have loved to savor the moment for a bit longer, he was given a mission to head East to a town, a week’s worth of travel away, reports of demon activity spiking.
As he latches the final belt to his ankles, the movement of sheets and a murmur makes him glance at the figure, in an upright position, groggily rubbing his eyes. With tired blue eyes peeking at him from below his lashes, Sanemi can’t help but to stare at the man. His hair, usually kept in a low ponytail, cascades down to his shoulders in an extreme case of bedhead, pale neck and chest exposed to the slits of rays from the rising sun, creating the illusion of an ethereal being. He wants to have this view every morning.
These are dangerous thoughts to have, usually not allowed to even grace his mind while in the vicinity of Tomioka. They’re not together, simply finding comfort in each other’s bodies for convenience, or at least that’s what Sanemi tries to tell himself. He had despised the man, his haughty attitude and loner-esque ways pissing him off. Sanemi had considered him quite dull, an emotionless pretty boy who couldn’t bother with pleasantries. However, after a reckless night with the omega where both were inebriated during a gathering at Uzui’s, the two were forced into conversations longer than insults (direct from him, indirect from Tomioka) and sneers (from him). Slowly, after countless nights spent together, Sanemi had revealed an array of emotions hidden beneath the depths of those cobalt eyes, the mirth that swims in them when he teases Sanemi, the ghost of a smile when they get a meal together, the blush that runs from his face to his chest from whispers against his ear, the haze in his eyes as Sanemi gives and takes.
He realized Tomioka had his own problems, his own demons, like the rest of them. Their coping methods are different, Sanemi preferring to confront his issues with anger while Tomioka detached himself from the situation. It’s frustrating, but he can’t fault the man for this, having gotten this far and still functioning, though barely when he goes through an episode. They’ve never talked about their past, only small snippets of their previous lives slipping between loose lips. He knows Tomioka had a sister, older, occupying the red portion of his haori while the patterned side was in honor of a boy named Sabito, having taken the final selection together. He never took the omega on being sentimental, and he does feel a bit bad for calling the haori ugly in his thoughts, but he has put together that Tomioka still allows those deaths to haunt him. Though he tries hard to forget, in his most vulnerable moments, he’s told him of his family, the death of his six siblings, and the estranged relationship between him and Genya. Has shown cracks in his façade of being hot-headed and brash, a simple man with dirtied hands and death clinging to his shadow.
Sanemi can’t help but get close and lean down, positioning himself at the crook of Tomioka’s neck and scenting him, allowing notes of sandalwood and clary sage to envelope the omega. Tomioka simply hums, tilting his head further to the side, allowing Sanemi to continue his ministrations until Tomioka’s scent is enveloped. Tomioka doesn’t scent him back, instead places a chaste kiss on his lips, the ghost of a whisper telling him to take care the only words exchanged between the two before Sanemi attaches his sheath to his belt, not looking back as he heads out into the cool morning.
-
“My my, Tomioka-san, it’s been a while. Shinazugawa-san finally let you off his leash?”
Giyuu ignores her, Kochou being the only hashira to know about their… ‘relationship,’ in favor of looking around the beta’s office. It’s sparsely decorated, with a bookshelf filled with literature on demons in one corner, anatomical diagrams plastered to the walls, and a sturdy dark oak desk placed in the center, holding several vials of what Giyuu assumes is poison, her blade lying against them. Kochou was never one to bother with trinkets, something they had in common, preferring to occupy their space with just the essentials. He idly remembers there being a fishbowl in the corner, now missing as he takes a seat in front of her.
“I need scent blockers,” the bluntness of his words causes a vein to form on Kochou’s forehead, so he quickly adds to it. “I have a mission.” Scents are dangerous, especially ones that can’t be controlled, easily distinguishable for demons to track.
“Well, you do reek,” she crinkles her nose at him. If even a beta could tell his scent was more potent than usual, then he’ll need a few extra. “Even if he was leaving for several days, he should’ve known you’d get a mission sooner or later.”
Giyuu simply shrugs at that, not bothering to let on that he had no complaints. Kochou sighs before standing up from her chair, telling him to wait before leaving the room. He stays put, listening to the sounds of the butterfly girls a few rooms down moving, likely attending to other slayers. He knows he looks pathetic to Kochou, allowing an alpha to scent him so possessively when they aren’t even dating, knowing the harm it causes to his omega, and dealing with separation anxiety every time Sanemi leaves him. He doesn’t know if it’s an imprint, or if he really was an idiot and fell for a man he constantly told himself not to. He knows Sanemi doesn’t see him as a potential mate, knows he doesn’t have the right to be considered one, a fake mate to coincide with his title of fake hashira. They had agreed to keep it casual, though it was before they had gotten to know each other, before Giyuu had to mess it up and let feelings into his heart. He doubts Sanemi has changed his mind. A capable alpha who carries his burdens with strength, he could have any omega he wanted. Besides, at this point, he’s sworn off the concept of mating, knowing that his life was leading towards an abrupt end, living each day until his demise.
His thoughts are interrupted by Kochou coming back into the room, holding a box of transparent wraps in one arm and a container of pills in the other. She places them on her desk before sitting down, staring at him expectantly. He reaches over for the box, figures she wants him to leave, and stands up, a ‘thanks’ ready to slip from his mouth before she places her hand over the wraps, preventing him from grabbing it.
“Wait,” she says, the look on her face more serious. He feels nervous as he awkwardly puts his hand back to his side, slowly sitting down again. When she realizes he isn’t going to say anything, she sighs again.
“Your heat.”
Immediately he tensed, not liking where this conversation was going.
“When was the last time you had it?”
Giyuu has never kept track of the days, simply knowing the world was changing through the phases of the moon and the seasons. He’s used inhibitors since he was young, remembers the awful feeling of presenting, his skin blistering hot, slick coating down to his thighs, an aching emptiness in his chest, faceless kakushi helping him through it. Having already dealt with the turmoil from the final selection and now that, Giyuu didn’t hesitate to take suppressants when offered. He’s been on them since.
“Since I presented.” Kochou doesn’t like this answer, her face growing dark as she reaches into a drawer and pulls out a folder, presumably his medical information as she reads through it.
“I don’t mean to alarm you, but since you’ve been exposed to large amounts of alpha pheromones in the past couple of months, there’s a high chance that your heat will come.”
Giyuu frowns at this. His suppressants have never failed him before and he doesn’t expect that that will change. He hasn’t felt any different lately, maybe a bit moodier since he’s realized his feelings for Shinazugawa, but nothing regarding his body.
“I’ve always been exposed to alphas and never had anything happen.”
“That’s different,” there’s a glint in her eyes, the corner of her lips indenting. “When you’re… together, does he climax inside you?”
Giyuu can’t stop the blush from forming on his face. He’s never talked about his sex life with anybody, and he was never expecting a conversation like this to happen today. His lack of an answer is enough for Kochou though, as a smile takes over her features, quite sinister, as if she wants to make fun of him more. Luckily, she doesn’t.
“Every time Shinazugawa finishes inside of you, he’s directly pumping his alpha pheromones, different from simply being in the proximity of an alpha, probably satiating your omega, becoming accustomed to a partner. Since your heat has been neglected since you presented, it’ll hit harder, especially if you go through it alone.”
Kochou doesn’t have to spell it out for him, understanding what she is implying and still not liking the idea. Heats are different from simply spending a night together. From what he remembers, Giyuu was at his most vulnerable, his omega taking over and feeling alienated from his body. It’s an intimate moment meant to be spent with someone who he completely trusts. He trusts Shinazugawa, knows the man would take care of him well, but the risk of mating is high, both parties succumbed to lust, and he doesn’t want Shinazugawa to accidentally mark him, the face of rejection and regret on his face would break Giyuu.
He stands up, long overdue to start his mission, and grabs the box of blockers. Kochou says nothing, but hands him a container of pills- analeptics.
“When you start feeling different, take them. They won’t stop your heat but will lessen the burden. Make sure not to be on a mission when it comes, unless you want to be killed by a demon or something worse, from random alphas.”
Giyuu’s already out the door as she finishes her sentence, a headache forming, ready to forget this conversation had ever happened. He grips the container tighter, trying to focus his mind on the mission instead, running to make up for lost time after placing the blockers on his neck. As he travels, he falls back into his normal headspace, focusing on the task at hand, ignoring the whispers, that eerily sound like Kochou, telling him to ask Shinazugawa to help him through his heat.
-
Sanemi’s tired. Sweat and grime coated his skin and clothes after traveling for a week straight through the mountains. Not even rest stops at wisteria houses could alleviate the pain in his joints and muscles. It’s dawn by the time Sanemi sets foot in an inn, finally arriving at his destination. He’s forgotten the name of the town, it’s quaint, dedicating the main road to shops and restaurants, desolate at this time. He has a few hours to clean himself up and get some rest, wanting to use the rest of daylight to gather intel on where the demon is located, knowing it won’t be hard with how small this place is.
An old woman is behind the counter, and from the look she gives him, he knows she’s seen her fair share of demon slayers. He requests a room for two days, knows he’ll only stay for one, and pays for more than what was necessary, waving off any attempts to be given back the change. She thanks him, giving him his room key with a towel, bar of soap, and yukata, stating his futon and meal would be prepared and that the bathhouse is in the back. He thanks her, sliding the back door to go to the baths when she speaks up, barely a whisper.
“The demon… can bewitch people… it reads into their hearts. Many go missing… in the woods nearby. Please be careful.”
Sanemi doesn’t say anything, simply nods as he continues his path. He mentally thanks her for making his job easier, now knowing where the activity takes place.
As he sits in the bath, he mulls over her words, curious to see the demon in action, knowing its tricks won’t work on him. He bathes until the water has turned cold, the room steamy and lightly filled with his scent, scent blockers having been removed when he undressed himself. He slips on the yukata, the faded blue reminding him of a certain pair of eyes. He can feel his alpha perking up at this, and Sanemi has to force him back. He had never thought of Tomioka before while on missions. Now, however, they have become frequent, feeling incomplete when the omega is not at his side, his alpha on edge, not being there to protect his- the omega. He scoffs at the thought, knows Tomioka is perfectly able to take care of himself. Still, he can’t help but fret. He wishes he could write to him, exchange letters like a lovesick fool, but he’s never learned how to write. Never saw a need, now regretting it as a certain hashira had wedged himself into Sanemi’s life, stubbornly refusing to leave.
When he arrives to his room, the futon has been set up and a simple meal of rice and eel sits there. As he wolfs it down, he notices a washboard basin in the corner, placed there for him to wash his uniform. He makes a note to leave even more money as gratitude before getting to work. He’s closing his eyes by the time sunlight filters through the curtains, thoughts of what the omega is doing fading in before he drifts off.
-
“Giyuu-san, are you cold?”
Giyuu doesn’t realize he is shivering until Tanjirou brings it up. He glances away from his food to notice his hands shaking around his chopsticks, clenching them. He shakes his head and continues eating, hoping Tanjirou will drop it. He gets the message, going back to eating his own bowl of gyumeshi, Giyuu opting for salmon and daikon. It’s been over a week since he’s seen Shinazugawa, and while they have gone even longer without seeing each other before, this time seems to take a toll on Giyuu. Though he doesn’t show it, his omega is in despair, aching for the alpha. He’s had a hard time focusing, missions dragging out longer than necessary, and sleep eludes him, sandalwood long gone from his sheets. He started nesting the other day, something he had never done before, unsatisfied when realizing he had nothing from the alpha. He’s manic at this point, had sneaked into the Wind Pillars estate to find anything that had Shinazugawa’s scent on it. He’s reached a new low, but he can’t seem to care. Desperate, the need to scratch an itch that he can’t reach. He has half a mind to talk to Kochou, but he knows what she’ll say, and he refuses to acknowledge what’s happening to him. Other than the more prominent eye bags, no one has noticed anything different about him. He had even spent yesterday sparring with Kanroji, who’s quite perceptive, and she didn’t say anything.
“Tanjirou,” He stops eating, already regretting the words coming out of his mouth as the kid looks up at him, beckoning him to continue. “Do I smell different to you?”
Thankfully there’s no judgment in Tanjirou’s eyes as he ponders the question, closing his eyes and coming near him to sniff. While his omega is usually apprehensive of alphas getting too close, he’s protective of the younger man, proud to see how far he and his sister have grown, nothing like the two children he met on the mountain years ago.
“You smell stressed. Like a ticking clock waiting to strike at twelve. At first, I thought it was just my sense of smell, but even with the scent blockers, I can smell your scent. It has hints of white birch, correct?”
Giyuu nods, slumping in his seat, not bothering with his posture as his worst fear is confirmed. While he would have liked to ignore it for much longer, he’s not an idiot. He knows that when he does have his heat, it would be dangerous for him to be somewhere unknown. It’s just troublesome that he doesn’t know when it’ll occur. He’ll have to talk to the Master soon, apologize for the inconvenience, and ask for some days off.
“Is this about your heat?” Giyuu looks at him, Tanjirou taking it as a sign to continue. “Ah, it’s just that Nezuko had presented as an Omega before she got turned and our mother had taught me how to care for her during that time. Thanks to my keen nose, my alpha has become accustomed to strong pheromones and isn’t affected by them.”
Giyuu’s eyes softened, of course, Tanjirou was a great older brother, the kindness in his eyes reminded him of Tsutako.
“I haven’t had my heat since I presented, and Kochou told me it was going to be hard if I had it by myself.” He hesitates at the end, not knowing why he’s telling the younger alpha, but figures it’d be nice to hear a second opinion, someone to just vent to. His hands are suddenly grabbed before he can react, Tanjirou getting close to his face, his eyes sparkling.
“If you need an alpha to help you through it, I’ll gladly do it. You’ve sacrificed so much for Nezuko and I, it’s the least I could do.” Tanjirou states quite loudly, a few patrons glancing at them. Giyuu feels his face heat up, for a split-second wondering if Tanjirou has ill intentions, but he sees nothing but pure adoration on the Hinoe’s face. He can’t stop the small smile from forming, freeing his hand to pat the younger man on the head, finishing up their meal.
-
Sanemi sits cross-legged amidst the eerie silence of the woods. Eyes closed and breath even, hand at the hilt of his sword. He focuses, picking apart the rustling of leaves from the wind and the sound of water running a few paces South. He feels it before he sees it, the sudden shift in the air as something lunges at him, kicking off the ground into the sky, using his momentum to slash downwards, contact successful by the screech it lets out.
“Took you fucking long enough!”
He lands on his feet, sword facing the figure as he gets into stance, a crazed look in his eyes as the demon finally comes out. Moonlight shines from above, filtered through the canopy, casting a glow on the battlefield. The demon stays crouched in the shadows, its red pupilless eyes gleaming with malice. Slowly it stands, walking into the light, giving Sanemi a grotesque sight. Its pink skin stretched taught over a skeletal frame, veins visibly pulsing beneath the surface, giving the illusion of translucence. Its limbs are elongated and gangly, walking on four legs with sharp claws that look capable of rending flesh with ease.
“Damn, you’re ugly.”
It moves with unsettling agility, its elongated limbs allowing it to cover ground swiftly and unpredictably, each step silent, almost ghostly. It swipes at him with all its limbs, Sanemi blocking some with his blade while his forearms take most of the damage. He quickly releases a barrage of whirlwind slashes, giving him distance from the creature. It’s hard to predict its movements, its body moving as if dragged by an invisible string. It darts in and out of Sanemi’s reach, using its long limbs to claw at him, tearing through different areas of his uniform, unrelenting even when Sanemi’s katana cuts at it. He makes several failed attempts to slash its neck, the demon’s body twisting and contorting, slipping through the narrowest of openings to counter with brutal efficiency.
Sanemi gets angrier as the battle drags out, feeling as if he’s playing a game of tag with how evasive this demon is. He decides that close combat is the best route, using his first form to dash at the demon, a cyclone pattern of slashes following him. He grabs at a limb that was aiming at him, using it as leverage to drag the demon closer, blade poised above his head, finding an opening.
“Wind Breathing, Fifth Form: Cold Mountain Wind!”
He roars, his blade slicing through the air with precision, several circular arched slashes erupting from his sword, increasing in size as they descend upon the demon. Just as the attack is about to land, the demon’s face twists into a mocking grin, its features melting away as the vivid red of its eyes is replaced with a violet hue, eyes that hold such familiarity, staring at Sanemi with a mix of betrayal and horror.
Sanemi’s eyes widened in shock, his heart skipping a beat. His mind screams at him that it’s not real, that that’s not Genya, but it still momentarily shatters his focus. In that split second of hesitancy, the demon seizes the opportunity. With a swift, powerful pounce using its full body, it strikes Sanemi in the ribs. He barely has time to brace his abdomen, the impact sending him hurtling through the trees, branches and foliage snapping and tearing at his body as he crashes through them, finally coming to a painful stop against a tree trunk.
He gasps for breath, struggling to his feet as he spits out a wad of blood. Fuck. He’s a bit dizzy as he orients himself, veins on his forehead becoming prominent. He’s pissed now. Having completely forgotten about its blood demon art during the midst of battle. He knows now though. Knows that the demon will cycle through his family, believing Sanemi won’t have the heart to slice their necks. Too bad for it, Sanemi has already gone through these nightmares. Nights where the past crawls out of locked memories and haunts him, forcing him out of bed and swinging his sword until his arms are numb and lungs burning.
He takes a deep breath, steadies himself as he charges back to the demon. Locked in on the figure hiding in the shadows, he’s expecting a sibling, or even his mother to stand there, his breathing already forming on his blade. The figure turns around and he’s baffled for the second time that night to see not a family member, but Tomioka standing in the clearing. Mismatched haori indistinguishable, an emotionless expression on his face as he stares at Sanemi with deep blue eyes. His jaw clenches and his hands shake, but he continues with his attack, surprised to see a katana block his sword. The force pushes him back, struggling to find his balance on the uneven terrain of exposed roots and rocks before the fake Tomioka thrusts his sword at him, mimicking the mannerisms and fighting style he’s seen countless times. Though it’s not accompanied by water breathing, it feels as if Sanemi is sparring with the omega and not the demon, blades clashing together.
Mentally, he’s torn. His brain urges him to go for the kill while his alpha is angrily thrashing, wondering why he would want to hurt his omega. It’s taking a toll on him, trying to control his alpha while focusing on the battle at hand, losing ground. His jaw hurts, teeth clenching painfully as he maneuvers through an array of attacks.
‘Calm down.’
He focuses, pushing aside the emotional turmoil, to look at the demon more closely. Tracking even the slightest twitch or shift in the demon’s stance as it moves. He notices that it's weaker while in a transformed state, a shitty mimicry. It’s slower, movements more rigid and stiff compared to its original form, focusing more on emotional damage than physical. As the clang of their swords reverberates across the clearing, Sanemi takes a moment to look at his surroundings, figuring out what he needs to do.
As fake Tomioka blocks a slash with the katana, Sanemi takes the moment to jump. Lifting his knees to his chest, planting his feet on its sword, and launching himself off it. He does a backflip, releasing a few slashes for the demon to block to not follow him. He jumps from tree to tree surrounding the clearing, using his second form to release a mirage of attacks resembling claws from all directions as he moves in a circular motion. He repeats this, getting faster and faster, the demon forced in the middle.
Finally, he sees it. An opening. While the demon dodges and parries Sanemi’s previous attacks, he jumps up, silhouette poised as if he came from the center of the moon, and rotates his body, creating an arcing slash.
“Wind Breathing, Sixth Form: Black Wind Mountain Mist!”
The demon looks up too late, blade already slicing through its neck, Tomioka’s face scrunched up in pain before the head is sliced off, toppling to the ground with a thump, illusion gone.
“Fucking bastard.”
Sanemi drops his sword as he collapses to the ground, clutching his chest painfully. His alpha is in agony, howling in pain, convinced that the omega is actually gone. It takes several moments to calm himself down, forcing his mind to think of the demon’s head rolling to the floor and not when he sliced its neck. He gets up with a sense of urgency, wanting nothing more than to head back home and lay in the arms of the omega, realizing now how deep his crush goes. His alpha is still not convinced that Tomioka is okay, needing to see for himself the omega breathing. With his sword back in its hilt, he sets off back to the estates, his Kasugai crow already gone to inform the Master of his completion, rest be damned.
-
Giyuu sighs against the tub, allowing the cold water to cool his heated skin. It feels tingly, his scent giving off the hint of a needy omega. Shinazugawa was still on his mission, Giyuu having had no chance to ask, even after resolving himself. He briefly entertained the idea of Tanjirou helping him, but his omega had rejected it, feeling as if he was cheating, as if they were exclusive. He stands up from the tub, already feeling himself heat up again like he had a fever. He concentrates on the menial tasks, going into his kitchen to set a kettle of tea to boil, as if it’s a normal day and not feeling the embers in the pit of his stomach boiling, the need to be filled up.
He grips the wooden counter, fixated on the flames licking up the sides of the metal dish, curling into himself and clenching the telltale signs of slick from slipping. The pressurized air from the container starts to leak, singing as he slowly collapses to the floor, clutching onto his stomach as he feels just so empty.
A hand shoots out to grab the kettle, turning off the gas and wrapping a thick arm around his waist, pressing him against a muscled chest. Giyuu’s eyes widen, and he looks back, staring up at the man he’s been avoiding thinking of.
“Shinazu-”
Fingers grab his collar before he can finish, yanking him closer, crowding into his space, lavender irises dark, swallowing any words Giyuu was going to say- already forgotten. Their lips collide, Shinazugawa overwhelming him, devouring him, taking advantage of the gasp Giyuu lets out to slip his tongue in. Giyuu can’t keep up, just lets Shinazugawa take and take and take.
His omega is in a frenzy, alpha pheromones dousing him, possessive, as if claiming him. He grips Shinazugawa’s open uniform with both hands, finally allowed to breathe when he shifts to his neck, directly on his scent gland, licking a fat stripe.
Giyuu can’t help the loud moan from slipping out, Shinazugawa humming into the crook of his neck as he continues to scent him. He’s panting now, slick starting to leak from below, not sure if he wants to pull the alpha closer or away, overstimulated, omega elated. He feels his mind slipping, sensations of lips and hands on his body tethering him. He wants more. Needs to ask the alpha to stay with him.
“Shi… nazu… gawa.”
He can’t speak, panting between each vowel as the other doesn’t relent from covering his neck in bruises and bites.
“Sanemi.”
His voice is deep and rough, the first thing he’s said to Giyuu since arriving at his estate. He continues his ministrations, unrelenting even as a full blush takes over Giyuu’s face, registering the man gave him permission to use his given name.
It takes effort to unclench his hands from the other’s uniform, placing his palms flat against his pecs and pushing lightly. Sanemi gets the message, but not before scenting him again as he pulls away, pupils blown and looking at Giyuu’s lips. He’s leaning in again as if he can’t wait, but Giyuu holds him back. He needs to know if they both want this.
“I’m in heat,” he says after several breaths, lips raw and red from being relentlessly bitten. He’s staring at Sanemi, making sure the alpha is coherent enough to understand. The wind hashira gulps before nodding, waiting for him to continue.
“Are you okay… with spending it with someone like me?”
Sanemi frowns at that, as if offended. He grabs Giyuu’s hand that’s still on his chest, placing it directly on top of his heart. He feels the rapid drumming of his heartbeat, the rise and fall of his pants, showcasing how affected he is.
“You make my alpha go fucking crazy,” He states breathlessly. “And it’s not because of right now. You’re constantly on my mind like some leech, making me stupid. Wondering what you’re doing, when I can see you again.”
Giyuu bites his lip, looking as if he’s about to refute before he’s interrupted.
“Stop overthinking it. I’m not stupid,” He places a palm on Giyuu’s cheek, thumb brushing over his lips. “I know what can happen during a heat and I’m willing if you are.”
Giyuu doesn’t miss the underlying meaning to his words, that if they were to accidentally mate, Sanemi would be okay with it. Okay with him. He feels his eyes tearing up and Sanemi starts to panic.
“Hey, shit. I didn’t mean to make you- fuck. You don’t have to spend it with me, I know I’m an asshole, but-” Giyuu shuts him up with a chaste kiss, can’t help the small breathless laugh as he wraps his arms around Sanemi’s neck.
“Leave it to you to be so vulgar during a romantic moment.”
“Tsk, you’re the one ruining it by crying.” There’s a blush on his face, looking away from Giyuu, no malice to his words.
Giyuu leans closer, lips against the alpha's ears as he feels himself starting to heat up again.
“I want you,” he whispers, Sanemi’s eyes dilating as he lets out a low rumble, yanking their hips together and tapping at Giyuu’s thighs, getting the message and wrapping his legs around the alpha’s hips.
He carries him to the bedroom, muscle memory at this point, but it feels different this time. Not because of the heat, but due to their feelings being laid out in the open. His omega is calm for once, as if knowing this was going to happen, content to finally be with their alpha.
He’s gently placed down on the futon, Sanemi caging him in as he slowly unravels his yukata, warm hands mapping down his burning body as if it’s his first time, as if he’s memorizing it. He’s agonizingly slow, squeezing at his waist, then hips, bypassing Giyuu’s hardening cock to his inner thighs, rubbing the slick, that’s been there since he started his ministrations, into his skin.
Giyuu’s sensitive, getting increasingly impatient the longer a cock is not in him. He’s drunk on sandalwood, drunk on Sanemi. Scent spicy and smothering, making it hard to breathe for Giyuu. He wraps his legs around Sanemi’s hips, squeezing for him to get the message. Sanemi lets out a chuckle, dragging his gaze from Giyuu’s slick hole to his face, closing in to place open-mouthed kisses on his lips.
“You’re so needy,” he whispers, deep voice causing shivers to rack up Giyuu’s spine. Sanemi notices, a smirk on his face as he sucks on his lobe. “Tell me what you want.”
“I want-” Giyuu nearly shouts when Sanemi grabs hold of his neglected cock. Rough calloused hands spreading the pre-cum that leaked over his member.
“You want?” Sanemi mimics, a cruel smile on his face as he thumbs the slit, giving too much attention to the head. “Use your words Giyuu. I can’t help if I don’t know what you want.”
Giyuu’s panting at this point, his brain fumbling to come up with thoughts, the need to come overtaking his senses. He doesn’t want to though, not until he’s filled up, not until the itch inside him is finally scratched.
“Y-you’re so.. hahh, mean.”
Sanemi laughs at this, reverberating through his chest as he leans back, sinking down until he’s at eye-level with Giyuu’s cock, taking the head into his mouth, swirling his tongue against the folds, inching further and further down.
Giyuu’s hand shoots into Sanemi’s hair, grabbing a fistful of it roughly, closing his eyes at the sensation of Sanemi moaning around his cock, encouraging him further down, not caring about the loud moan that slips past his lips.
Giyuu reaches the back of his throat before Sanemi starts sucking him off, hallowing his cheeks, tongue running along the underside, hands caressing his balls. It’s too much, his insides building and tensing, feels himself reaching the edge.
He yanks on Sanemi’s hair as he comes, the burning need inside him calming, body shaking, cock pulsing long streams of cum that Sanemi greedily gulps up, sucking every drop until Giyuu starts to sob from oversensitivity, finally letting off with a loud pop, lips glistening as Sanemi stares at Giyuu, smile full of teeth.
Sanemi drags himself up Giyuu’s body, hand grabbing his chin roughly, telling him to open up without words. Giyuu listens obediently, letting Sanemi into his mouth, tasting himself as he licks inside. It’s dirty, but Giyuu feels like putty, cock still hard, omega not satiated, mind always a bit floaty after an orgasm. He feels Sanemi’s dick against him, the hardened length trapped behind his uniform, a small wet patch visible from the fabric where it lies.
He reaches for Sanemi’s top, popping the only button, sliding the fabric over his shoulders to pool on the floor, hands roaming over the large expansion of muscles from his arms to chest. Though he and Sanemi are almost the same height, their builds are quite different, with Giyuu being leaner while the alpha is bulkier. The omega isn’t complaining though, rubbing his hands along his pecs, thumbs brushing over nipples. Sanemi sighs at that, letting Giyuu do what he wants as he slips his pants down, untying the fundoshi and letting his cock free, hard, and throbbing against his stomach. Giyuu’s hands stop moving and stares. Can’t help the drool from slipping past his lips at the thought of taking it into his mouth, letting that cock hit the back of his throat, choking on the feeling of being so full.
He doesn’t realize he’s reeking the room with pure want until Sanemi groans, cock jumping, face flushed, hair damp at the ends with sweat.
“Turn around.”
Sanemi’s voice is absolutely wrecked, raw from his cock in his throat and deep from the command. Giyuu can’t help but whine as he’s manhandled, chest pressed against the sheets and ass in the air, presenting to the alpha. He’s pushed down by a hand at the base of his shoulder blades, spine arching almost to an exaggerated degree. He buries his face into his elbows as he feels Sanemi’s hands on his ass, squeezing once, twice, before pulling them apart, more slick slipping from his hole, dripping to the sheets.
“Fuck,” Sanemi lets out, grumbling in his chest showing that his alpha is pleased with the view. “I’ll have to eat you out next time.” He ends that statement with a tongue prodding at his hole, licking up excess slick as Giyuu starts to whimper.
He’s needy again, desperation taking hold of him as he still hasn’t been filled up. He nearly sobs again when Sanemi pulls out his tongue, canting his hips back to have the alpha’s face near him again. He yelps at the smack to his ass, whipping his head back to frown at the other who only gives back a smirk. He’s about to berate him when all air leaves his lungs, a thick finger gathering up slick near his entrance before it’s pushed inside, a low groan coming out of Giyuu.
It's not enough, the stretch nonexistent as the finger prods along his walls. He huffs out an impatient sigh, glaring at the alpha who continues to move his finger in and out, almost lazily, staring at his hole. Two can play this game.
“Tanjirou offered to help with my heat,” The finger stops and pulls out, dark violet eyes flying up into eye contact, a dangerous glint in them. “Maybe I should have accep-”
A shout leaves his lips, cock pulsating as his body contracts, hands clawing into the sheets, the feeling of his ass tearing in half as the alpha’s cock presses into him with one thrust. Giyuu can’t breathe, gasping as the pressure increases, cock pressing harder into his prostrate. He’s drooling from both ends, eyes closing at finally getting what he wants, Sanemi’s cock made for him, a perfect fit.
He doesn’t get the chance to calm down, a snarl leaving the alpha’s lips as he pulls his cock out until only the tip remains, slamming back in straight to his sweet spot. Giyuu feels his eyes rolling to the back of his head as the thrusts continue at a brutal pace, Sanemi grabbing his legs and placing them over each shoulder, angle allowing him to go deeper.
“The fucking brat, huh?” He growls, slamming his hips onto Giyuu’s ass, skin red and bruised, the sounds of skin against skin and Giyuu’s low moans echoing across the room. “Looks like I need to mark you more. Show others who you belong to.”
He has a brief thought of apologizing to Tanjirou, but all functions cease when Sanemi bites the back of his neck, exposed from his displaced hair, licking the wound when blood starts to pool. His omega is in a frenzy, the alpha's fangs so close to his scent glands. It would be so easy to mark him, to claim him.
He doesn’t realize he’s begging until he hears his own voice. Breathy, pathetic, little pleas leave his lips as Sanemi drags his cock in and out of his prostrate, pace cruel and messy. Giyuu is about to cum. He can feel it, the embers in his stomach igniting, needing that last push over the edge.
“Sa- Sane— please.”
Sanemi grunts, placing his knees back onto the futon and spreading Giyuu’s legs further apart, snapping his hips as he reaches over and grabs ahold of Giyuu’s cock, his hand following the tempo of his thrusts.
Giyuu’s sobbing, slick leaking everywhere as he whimpers, tears blurring his sight. White hot pleasure surges throughout his body, spine arching, fingers gripping at the sheets. He loses himself as he climaxes, hazy eyes filled with tears, tremors racking up and down his body, cock throbbing as ropes of cum spill onto the sheets and his abdomen.
He’s clenching hard, Sanemi swearing as his thrusts start to get sloppy, thrusts slowing down until Giyuu can only feel the alpha’s cock dragging along his walls.
“Alpha.” He moans pathetically, thighs slipping along the cum-slick soaked sheets, already getting hard again.
“Fuck.” Sanemi pants, voice rough, pressing Giyuu’s back to his chest to reach his scent gland, licking and biting at it, nicking it with his fangs teasingly.
It’s mean. Giyuu’s omega going feral at the sensations, breaking Giyuu until he’s a shivering mess, the alpha’s cock the only thing that matters to him.
“Sanemi- knot—knot me please.”
Sanemi’s thrusts stutter, letting out a loud moan before biting the back of Giyuu’s neck again. He flips Giyuu onto his side, Sanemi joining him, the angle giving him a new sense of pleasure. He picks up the pace, fucking harder and faster than before, a sense of desperation mixing in. Giyuu can feel the base of Sanemi’s cock start to swell, pushing against his rim with each thrust, the stretch giving him a delicious burn.
His body starts to produce more slick, omega ready to take his alpha’s knot, squelching sounds becoming more apparent with each thrust. Giyuu reaches a hand behind himself blindly, grabbing onto Sanemi’s wrist that’s gripping his hips, anchoring himself with it.
He’s being fucked dumb, knows he’ll be sore for days, but he loves it. He can’t stop the sounds from leaving his mouth, goaded on by Sanemi. The alpha whispering words of encouragement into his ear, breath hot, cock continuing to hit his prostate, knot continuing to catch on his rim.
Finally, Sanemi gives one last hard thrust, growling, knot too big to push out, hot cum coating his insides. He hears Sanemi groaning before his orgasm is ripped out of him, Sanemi’s hand on his cock again, coaxing him through it as it spills onto the sheets. The alpha’s tongue is on his scent gland again, alpha pheromones coating him, claiming him by scent alone, drowning him in it.
It takes them several moments for their breathing to go back under control, Giyuu’s omega finally satiated for the time being. Knows that in a few hours he’ll be back to being needy again, heats lasting for three days. He feels his eyes drooping, leaning into the chest behind him, careful not to move the knot in his ass.
“Sleep, I’ll clean you up.” Sanemi whispers, voice a deep rumble that vibrates through Giyuu.
He doesn’t need to be told twice, eyes closing in the comfort of his alpha.
-
When Giyuu wakes up, the first thing he notices is that it’s bright outside, the sun having risen hours ago, air reflecting the afternoon heat. The second thing, he’s extremely sore. Body from the waist down throbbing in pain. He isn’t surprised, recalling how the last two nights played out, waking Sanemi up at random hours, bouncing on his cock, having it in his mouth after being stuffed full of cum, or the alpha keeping up with his promise and eating him out.
He groans as he sits up, fresh sheets wrapped around his clean body. He remembers Sanemi carrying him to the bath, cleaning themselves before they got ‘distracted,’ promptly passing out afterward. He’s alone in the room and has half a mind to pout, feeling a bit floaty and omega wanting the alpha by his side. As he’s debating on getting up, the door slides open to reveal Sanemi with a tray.
“Why do you have nothing in your kitchen.” He scowls, walking across the room and opening a door that leads to the garden, setting the tray down to reveal two cups filled with tea and two bowls of rice, topped with an egg, one with two. Giyuu frowns at him.
“When would I have time to cook?”
Sanemi says nothing, probably knowing Giyuu has a point, helping him up from the bed, Giyuu ignoring his protesting body, walking outside together to sit on the engawa. Sanemi gives him the bowl with two eggs while he holds the other, sitting next to him, knees touching. Giyuu doesn’t realize how hungry he is until he starts eating, practically inhaling his bowl.
“Oi, you’re going to get sick,” Sanemi complains, reaching out to pluck bits of rice from his cheek. Giyuu does pout this time, Sanemi smirking as Giyuu does slow down in eating. He chooses to stare at the alpha instead, admiring his long lashes and strong jaw. His expression is calmer too, nothing like the moment he had entered Giyuu’s estate, eyes clouded and jaw tense. This thought gives him a realization.
“How was your mission?”
Sanemi’s eyes furrow, as if he doesn’t want to remember.
“Traveling was the worst. An entire week for a mission that took two days at max,” Giyuu agrees sympathetically, accustomed to having remote missions that cause him to travel mountains. “The demon was annoying too. Ugly fucker changing shape to your loved ones, trying to play mind games with you.”
“It showed Genya.” Giyuu nods at that, not needing Sanemi to continue as he understands. It must have been damaging having to deal with cutting off a loved one’s neck, even if it wasn’t real, but Sanemi continues. “It got me, I won’t lie. I hesitated and the bastard got a good hit in.”
“It also showed you,” he hesitates, glancing at Giyuu quickly before looking down at his hands. “I had to fight a replica of you, felt like we were sparring. Cutting off your head caused numerous damages to my alpha. Made me get my head out of my ass and realize how important you are.”
Sanemi’s picking at the skin near his thumb as he speaks, Giyuu intertwining their hands to prevent that habit of his. Constantly scolding Sanemi for his wounds never healing properly because of it.
“Me too,” Giyuu speaks up. “Once I knew my heat was coming, my omega couldn’t function without you. I tried hard to ignore these feelings, not wanting to ruin what we had, but my omega had other plans.”
“Thank god for your heat, huh. Otherwise, we’d still be idiots acting like teenagers around each other.”
They both laugh at that, sitting closer on the engawa as they stare at the sky, bowls empty. A moment passes before Giyuu speaks up again.
“Let’s not mate,” Giyuu blurts, Sanemi looks at him quizzically, drink in hand, opening his mouth to say something, but Giyuu beats him to it. “I mean- if we were to ever mate- if you even wanted to- let’s not. For both of our sakes.”
Sanemi stares at him, before smiling, understanding taking over his features. As demon slayers- as Hashira, their lives are expendable. There is no future for them, no thoughts or plans of living normal lives. They can play pretend, in the comfort of their estates when demon activity is slow, but soon the façade will end, both carrying on to their respective deaths.
“Of course.”
-
Giyuu struggles with the knife as he tries to cut an apple for Kanzaburou. He had gone apple picking with Uzui and his wives yesterday, this Spring bringing in a bountiful harvest. He sighs at the uneven pieces, still not adjusted to using his left hand. He places them onto a plate, stepping outside into the garden where the old crow stays perched on a wood stand Giyuu made weeks ago. He places it on the ground before sitting on the engawa, watching Kanzaburou nibble on the slices.
He's not used to free time. The lackadaisical nature he’s been living in the past months. A part of him worries, voice getting smaller as the peaceful days continue, to not let his guard down. To train, to patrol, to do anything involving what he had dedicated his life to. After the final battle with Muzan, all demons had perished with him. Thousands of lives were lost, peace bringing in a sense of loneliness. Giyuu never thought he’d make it this far, that he'd be alive to witness the dawn of a new age. His heart clenches at this thought, knowing now that survivor’s guilt will get him nowhere. He’s changed, haori no longer worn and instead stored away safely. Knows that Tsutako and Sabito are proud of him, avenging them with the help of others.
He senses it before he feels it, scarred arms wrapping around his waist and bringing him close, thoughts interrupted as Sanemi scents him, notes of sandalwood and clary sage enveloping the omega, nose hovering over the freshly healed mating bite at the crook of Giyuu’s neck, easily seen with his shorter hair.
He turns around, wrapping his arms around the alpha’s neck, can feel through the bond his emotions, and knows that he just came back from visiting Genya’s grave. Giyuu hums, scents him back, before placing a chaste kiss on his lips.
“Welcome back,” Giyuu whispers.
“I’m home.” Sanemi smiles.