Demon Slayer: Tides in the Silence

[Gentle, healing, mutual pining, Demon Slayer fanfiction, alternate universe]

Warm, resilient sunshine bottom × cold on the outside, warm on the inside, awkward top

Ever since Tanjiro became the "Sun Hashira," he gained a regular partner: the Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka.

Tanjiro thought Giyu Tomioka had always been a man of few words and was a little hard to understand, but he still drew close with all the warmth he had. He remembered that Mr. Giyu preferred mild flavors, shared half his rice ball with him, and earnestly asked him about the secrets behind every form of Water Breathing.

Giyu Tomioka thought this junior was far too radiant, warming everyone equally, like the sun. All he could do was hide the feelings quietly growing inside him, feelings he shouldn't have, along with his own awkwardness, in silence. Then, without a word, he would sharpen Tanjiro's blade and mend the ceremonial uniform that was always torn in battle.

Then, one evening at sunset, as they made their way home after a mission, Tanjiro looked at their elongated shadows and suddenly said softly, "When I'm with you, Mr. Giyu, I feel safe no matter where we go."

Giyu, who had been walking ahead the whole time, stopped in his tracks.

He turned around and looked at Tanjiro's gentle eyes, bright in the afterglow. For the first time, he followed the impulse in his heart. He reached out and, with the utmost care, touched Tanjiro's fingers.

"Yeah," he replied, his voice so quiet it seemed afraid to disturb something. "...Me too."

This is a story about "kindness" and "answering in kind." The warmth of the strongest Sun Hashira finally melted the ice around the solitary Water Hashira's heart, and the paths they walked side by side became each other's only way home.