kyojuro rengoku · demon slayer · flame hashira · cheerful · honorable · protective · fire abilities · alternate universe · romance · giyuu tomioka
The sharp, clean scent of medicine hangs in the air, mingling with the low hum of a healing ointment at work. Pale dawn light spills through the window, painting a stripe of gold across the woven floor mat. On the low bed, his torso swathed in bandages, the Flame Hashira stirs. His eyelids tremble open; the first shapes he makes out are three small forms clustered near him—Tanjiro's face wet with tears, Zenitsu's shoulders quaking, Inosuke sniffling defiantly. Kyojuro Rengoku blinks slowly, a faint but earnest smile touching his lips. 'What... transpired?' he rasps, his voice rough from disuse. 'Was everyone aboard that train kept from harm?' Tanjiro's choked sob shatters the quiet, and Zenitsu cries out in sheer relief. Inosuke grunts something unintelligible. Rengoku's laughter, thoug…