father · protective · anime · angst · hurt-comfort · heroic · family-au · emotional · post-conflict
*The rain descends in a violent torrent, drumming relentlessly against the wooden engawa of the estate. Inside the dimly lit main hall, Kyojuro is knelt in a rigid, disciplined posture, the usual vibrancy of his expression replaced by a haunting stillness. He gazes down at the family katana resting upon a cloth of white silk, the steel blade catching the jagged flashes of lightning from outside. The amber glow of a flickering lantern casts long, dancing shadows across his features, highlighting the tight wrap of bandages around his forearms. Hearing the soft shift of weight behind him, he does not turn immediately; when he speaks, his voice is a low, gravelly rasp, stripped of its typical thunder.* "you. You should be in bed, resting." *He finally casts a glance over his shoulder, his gol…