Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Each of the Hashira were accounted for and were being transported to the butterfly mansion as Tengen surveyed the battle ground, helping count the dead and uncover buried bodies. So many had sacrificed themselves for them to have a chance at beating Muzan, Tengen was only relieved that no one had lost their life to Tanjiro knowing the kid would take it hard if he had even inadvertently killed anyone. Kyojuro and his father were also helping, mostly in finding places for the dead and recovering their bodies no matter how many pieces they’d been cut into.

The Master’s plan had changed slightly at the last moment with the introduction of Yushiro and his remarkable blood art, easily masking a pig as him. The marks curse along with the master's illness seemed to have stopped now that Muzan was dead, he wasn’t going to get worse but he wasn’t getting better very quickly either. It also spared the master's son from the same fate much to the families relief.

As for the Hashira, Shinobu was still awake when she was found, tired with some minor injuries on her legs and head but otherwise fine and capable of moving fully. She helped stabilize some of the more injured slayers before they could be moved to get better care and checked extensively for hidden or internal injuries that could prove fatal if not handled immediately. 

Gyomei was also awake and aware, meditating and praying after he’d been cleared for the recovery of all slayers that survived. A group of Kakushi were keeping an eye on him, occasionally flitting about to help out others while still staying close by. When most of the injured slayer were cleared and a good portion of the dead were either moved to be buried or being returned to their families he agreed to go back to the butterfly mansion. The group of Kakushi refused to leave him even once he was declared completely safe.

Muichiro was found unconscious and nearly dead from a massive cut to his side and a missing arm that had been cut just before the elbow, he would require more care then what Shinobu and the Kakushi could provide on the field so they stopped the bleeding best they could and got him moved quickly. He would get better care from the butterfly girls as Shinobu continued to help on the battlefield. It took lots of material and a few uncomfortable choices to properly stabilize him and declare him out of the danger zone, his arm having to be cauterized just so that he wouldn’t bleed out but he would wake up shortly after they’d all been brought back.

Sanemi had passed out at some point and was missing a few fingers but would ultimately live with very little immediate care from Shinobu so she moved on quickly sending him to the butterfly mansion to be watched and make sure his cuts didn’t get infected. Genya was led alongside him, sporadically checking his brother's pulse and breathing but otherwise quiet and somewhat lax. Sanemi woke shortly after being properly patched up, the two ending up cuddled on one of the beds holding each other as close as possible.

Mitsuri and Obanai were found cuddled up together in a way that would have been adorable if it wasn’t for the puddle of blood slowly collecting under them. Obanai's face had been ripped apart, Shinobu claimed that as long as it didn’t get infected he could survive though the scarring would be intense. Mitsuri had also sustained major injuries that continued to bleed until the Kakushi were able to bandage them up, her arms torn and cut in ways that nearly missed the arteries. Shinobu ordered them to be placed next to each other in the Hashira's private room when they were taken to the mansion, they slept for a few months before waking about the same time.

Shinobu got to Tomioka last because of the huddle of teens gathered around him. None of them had started wailing yet so he's not dead but none of them were rushing to get her either. When she finally made her way over he was completely out of it but somehow still awake, his head was pillowed on a few of the teens' haoris and a makeshift bandage wrapped around what was left of his right arm that seemed to have been done long before the fighting was over, likely before the Tanjiro fight. 

The teens still grouped around him as she made sure there weren’t any worse injuries that could be fatal if she missed them. They were tired and had some minor cuts when she got to looking at them but overall seemed fine, most of their wounds no longer bleeding. They followed quietly behind when the Kakushi began bringing Tomioka back.

Along the way he passed out, his breathing still stable but the stress catching up to him. He stayed asleep as he was worked on and the others woke.

It was a miracle they’d all survived the Muzan fight though they wouldn’t be able to help in the clearing out of all the remaining demons thanks to most of their injuries. Some might have like Sanemi and Mitsuri but they were both just done with fighting, wanting to settle down and retire for life.

“I’m actually glad he’s still asleep.” Tengen commented looking over to Tomioka's bed where the man still slept. The others had been in and out of a couple of days, their injuries still healing but not bad enough for them to stay passed out.

“Mmm lucky bastard.” Obanai grumbled. His face was almost fully covered in bandages, the only gaps left for breathing and his uninjured eye thankfully the one that was working in the first place. Kaburamaru bumped their head against his chin, hissing quietly as to try and comfort their companion. 

“He looks so peaceful and calm.” Mitsuri smiled leaning against Obanai’s back so her chin rested on his shoulder her arms bandaged so tight it made them stiff and uncooperative. The two had been glued to each other since after they’d woken up, often touching in any way possible. They had been waiting until everyone was awake but Mitsuri couldn’t help herself and announced that they planned to get married, Tengen gifting them both jewelry in celebration.

“I do hope he doesn’t have a brain injury I missed.” Shinobu checked him over quickly, a habit she’d formed while waiting to keep her mind off the worst possibilities. Despite this the mood didn’t drop too much, all of them still running off the joy of winning to worry about the what if’s.

The teens filed in every once in a while to hang out and check on Tomioka. Tanjiro had begun the little ritual of sitting on the side of his bed and holding his hand but they began swapping out each time they were there, even Inosuke joining in and sitting strangely peacefully while holding Tomioka’s hand.

He’d apparently practically adopted them all before the final fight, becoming a stand-in parent for all their missing ones. Mitsuri almost began crying when they first heard about it, finding the whole thing so cute she began sodding and shaking Obanai who was doing his best not to pass out. 

When the teens weren’t around they started doing the same though Obanai and Sanemi often grumbled about them babying him. Still they joined in sometimes when one of them were having a bad day and they all became painfully aware of their mortality.

Chapter Text

Tomioka still hadn’t woken despite the amount of time that had passed, the only way the others knew he was still alive was the minor rise and fall of his chest. Most of his wounds had shut and his healing had seemingly plateaued, not getting worse but also not getting better.

“Is this normal?” Mitsuri’s voice carried a worried tone as she sat on the edge of his bed having her turn of holding his hand just to know he’s still warm— or as warm as he gets— and alive.

“It’s hard to tell…” Shinobu didn’t try to fake her usual smile, putting a hand on Mitsuri’s shoulder. “Both his mind and body went through a lot, it's just taking a while to heal.” She looked like she wanted to say something else but held back, stepping away from the bed to talk to the rest of the group.

After finding out that only one member of their group remained in a coma they had piled into the personal room he'd been moved to, pulling futons, pillows, and blankets in until they had enough to spend nights with him and each other. 

“It is possible that Tomioka-san is still asleep because he… doesn’t want to wake up.” There was a stillness to the room at that, all eyes locked onto Shinobu as she continued, “If that's the case we’ll have to hope that he can hear us and ‘lead’ him out of it.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Sanemi growled, his hands balling up and shaking slightly.

“While not very common as far as I know, some coma patients are able to hear outside noises. If he can he's likely able to hear what I’m saying right now. The hard part is being patient and convincing him to wake up. As for him choosing to stay asleep I- it’s likely subconscious, I’ve suspected for a while that he might be struggling with his mental health and it could be contributing to his coma, preferring to stay asleep rather than deal with the stress that comes with awareness.” Shinobu couldn’t make eye contact with any of them as she spoke, choosing to instead keep her gaze trained on the gentle rise and fall of Tomioka’s chest.

“I have also suspected that Tomioka-kun may have been struggling. I wouldn’t be surprised if he thought none of us would care if he woke or not.” Tears ran down Gyomei's face as he spoke with his hands already in a prayer position.

Mitsuri gasped, her other hand covering her mouth as her grip on Tomiokas increased. Sanemi growled, sitting up more as Obanai rested a hand on his shoulder.

“Are any of you really surprised? We’ve all either ignored him or treated him like shit why would he want to come back to this.” Muichiro spoke deadpan but there was an undertone of hurt to his voice and face. It hits the others then that Muichiro had been speaking about him like an older brother like most of the teens did, curling up next to him during his turn in a way that he probably copied from Genya and Sanemi.

“I agree with young Muichiro’s statement. As much as I know I’ve tried to connect with him I realize now that I wasn’t exactly thinking about how he may like to interact or expect out of our relationship which was possibly alienating.” Kyojuro nodded as he spoke, looking visibly sad as he watched Tomioka breathe. He’d been taking care to stay relatively quiet despite his hearing issues, well aware that some of his friends can’t handle yelling or loud noises anymore.

Silence enveloped the room as they contemplated their own involvement in his isolation, each realizing that they’d approached him wrong when it came to socializing.

“He’s never been good at talking to others.” They all jumped at the new voice turning to see an older man leaning against the door frame with a red tengu mask over his face, he wasn’t turned to face them though that didn’t mean he wasn’t looking. The man pushed off the frame walking calmly over to Tomioka’s bed which Mitsuri politely got up from letting him take her seat.

“Who are you?” Tengen watched him closely, taking note of the way he touched Tomioka’s hair and adjusted the blankets.

“Urokodaki Sakonji, Giyuu’s mentor.” He responded simply not paying them much mind. He sat carefully perched right next to Tomioka’s side; he barely disturbed the blankets, though was clearly a healthy weight for his height.

“You were the other one that vouched for Nezuko-chan when she was a demon.” Obanai tilted his head trying to get a better look at the man.

“Yes, I did.” He turned back towards them leaving a hand on Tomioka’s chest. “Don’t blame yourselves too much for Giyuu’s predicament, he’s stubborn and not always the brightest when it comes to his own health. If he isolated himself it was on purpose, you weren’t getting close.”

They sat in silence for a bit, the others trying to figure Urokodaki out while he sat there calmly. He was on a first name basis with Tomioka which was huge even as his teacher, the only other people allowed to refer to him as such being the Master and Tanjuro which they’d found wasn’t exactly his choice at first.

Everything about the way he’d placed himself and was interacting with Tomioka screamed parental, their relationship obviously much closer than the teacher-student relationship they’d portrayed at first. The mask kept his face unreadable but did nothing to hide everything else, especially the way he'd twitch closer whenever Tomioka even somewhat breathed wrong. 

The Kamados similarly seemed very close to Urokodaki giving him hugs and sitting next to him when he was around. Nezuko recognised him quickly and practically launched herself at him, he caught her easily letting her hang onto him for a while before she got bored and bounded off to find something to do.

He wasn’t always there, sometimes disappearing for minutes to days as he did who knows what. He would often come back with flowers, soft comfortable looking clothes, and or what he called comfort items that seemed completely random or way under Tomioka’s age. All his gifts were set on a table he pulled into the room.

Nezuko and Urokodaki had been working on repairing Tomioka’s haori together, making it look nice despite how destroyed it had been. The older man had spare fabric from when the garment was made the first time that they used to fill in missing spots and reinforce some of the wear. Despite them asking neither of them answers any questions about it telling them that they should ask him when he wakes.

The Master, who insisted they call him Ubuyashiki or Kagaya now though they never did, visited too and acted much like Urokodaki in how he treated Tomioka. He’d always been parental to them all and that showed though now as he talked softly to him. He wouldn’t sit on the bed but the chair sitting right next to it as he still couldn’t see all that well and didn’t want to risk sitting on top of any part of him.

When it was just the ex-Hashira in the room they often found themselves wondering and discussing how Tomioka himself viewed the two older men. They acted parental towards him but did he reciprocate back or just let them do their thing? Had they always treated him like this or did he request it? Neither of the men were telling them so they figured it went on the list of things to ask when Tomioka woke.

Kagaya told them stories about Tomioka sometimes, things that he’d kept quiet about when he was the one in charge but now had no issues sharing. 

“Tomioka isn’t an only child.” That caught their attention, Kagaya turning to face them from how he started focusing on brushing a hand through Tomioka's hair. “From what he’s told me he’s the youngest of his family though they are all unfortunately deceased now.”

They stayed silent trying to process that information and reflect on his actions and their own. 

“How many… did he have siblings?” Tengen spoke oddly quietly, his voice having a noticeable waver to it that they all picked up on but didn’t want to mention.

“One, an older sister. She died protecting him from a demon which he sadly witnessed.” His tone was sad though it didn’t show on his face very much like it never had. “From what I am aware of he didn’t know his parents very well before they died of an illness that had nearly killed everyone in their town.”

“That's so sad!” Mitsuri was crying from her spot next to Obanai, the other doing his best to comfort his fiance.

Kagaya just nodded, turning his attention back to the sleeping man. He stayed silent the rest of that visit stepping out after with the help of his wife.

They all mulled over that for the next few days, each of them having their own thoughts and feelings about a story that hit very close to home for a few of them. During this time they also came to the realization that what he’d given them still wasn’t the full story.

“How old was he when you started training him?” Shinobu asked Urokodaki one of the times he’d visited. He sighed when he turned to her.

“He was thirteen when he first came to me half dead and nearly frozen through.” The man huffed standing to grab one of the blankets he’d brought as a gift like his words had reminded him to do so.

“And how old was he when his sister died?” Sanemi was paying attention now too, having previously thought they weren’t getting any answers out of the old man. His question caught the notice of the rest of the group.

Urokodaki hummed in a tone that sounded angry, busying himself with fixing the sheets before answering. “One, don’t talk so casually about that.” He turned with his arms crossed making them all cower away a little like scolded children. “And two, I believe about eight. No, I do not know what happened in that time span other than him ending up in a mental institute that did not treat him kindly.”

He sat and glared at them the rest of his visit that day so they didn’t dare discuss it in his presence, well aware that they’d just gained his ire. Once he was gone was another story.

“I have a bad feeling about his stay at a facility like a mental institute.” Shinobu looked visibly uncomfortable shifting on her knees while looking away. “They aren’t exactly known for treating their patients kindly, that might actually explain his hesitancy with coming to me.”

“I’ll talk to him when he wakes, see if I can get him to open up.” Gyomei dipped his head in a nod, Muichiro shifting on his lap.

“Bastard better wake up soon before we keep adding to the list of things to talk to him about.” Sanemi huffed, gaining a few chuckles from the others. He smiled a bit, visibly proud of himself for lightening the mood.

“Maybe we’ll be able to prompt more than three words out of him at a time.” Obanai rolled his eyes leaning back on his fiance.

“Just get Tanjiro in here, that boy can do anything.” Tengen groaned, slumping back into the wall.

Muichiro hummed with a nod, visibly lighting up at the mention of the other boy causing them to crack up.

Chapter Text

Muichiro had taken up his normal spot lying almost on top of Tomioka, speaking quietly and rubbing at his hand just to have something to do while waiting. It had been a while since the revelation that his sleep may be more than just for healing but they kept up their rotation each taking a turn just being around him and making sure he was still alive.

Sanemi and Obanai softened out towards him over time, going from stiffly sitting on a chair nearby or giving up their turns entirely to sitting on the edge of the bed and talking quietly. There was still a bite to Sanemi's tone and a distance from Obanai but neither were being outright hostile or ignoring him. 

He’d twitch occasionally, his muscles spasming from unknown reasons yet he still didn’t wake. Shinobu tried her best to keep the others' hopes up but it was beginning to dwindle after months of waiting and praying. 

Sometimes they’d get false hope when his breathing would hitch or speed up slightly but he would return to stable consistent breathing after a moment.

Urokoraki had stuck around helping them get Tomioka comfortable and teaching them how he would want them to interact with him. It was through his help that Shinobu realized that Tomioka was just naturally different mentally, viewing the world and other people differently than they did. 

“So he’s literally just got a completely different understanding of the world and it causes how he acts to be weird to us?” Sanemi looked a little disappointed in himself grimacing as he stared at the floor.

“He didn’t exactly grow up around a lot of people.” Urokoraki nodded, his hand once again buried in Tomioka’s hair. “I didn’t figure that he’d struggle that way as my other students didn’t share a similar issue but I guess I wasn’t really looking for anything.”

“You didn’t notice how fucking strange he is.” Obanai huffed, tilting his head to the side to get a better look at him.

“He was with another student that I believe now he was taking cues from, Sabito must have noticed before I did and became more clear in his thoughts and emotions as to help Giyuu.” Urokoraki kept his tone level despite radiating anger, Tomioka shifting a bit as if he could also feel the tension. Urokoraki sighed, scratching at his scalp until his body went lax again.

“So he did have friends.” Tengen tilted his head looking over at the sleeping man.

As he watched Tomioka twitched again before closing his fist around Muichiro’s hand. The noise he made after was so soft and quiet most of them thought they had misheard at first, only Tengen and Muichiro actually perking up with the others quickly joining suit.

“Aniki?” Muichiro breathed, sitting up fully beside him. He couldn’t move far as the older still had a tight grip on his hand but he didn’t mind.

A soft groan came from the bed along with the quiet shifting of fabric in the nearly silent room, it didn't seem to have much energy behind it but that was to be expected with how long he’d been asleep. 

“Ah, how are you feeling Tomioka-san?” Shinobu broke the silence, standing to check him over quickly. She stayed professional but there was palpable relief practically flowing off her as she checked his response time and basic motor function. 

“As talkative as always.” Tengen bumped Mitsuri with his elbow prompting a giggle that was much more in happiness that Tomioka was awake than the joke. They all felt a lot lighter now that he was responsive, barely holding back from crowding the bed just to be close.

“As long as he stays awake for a while he should be all clear now!” Shinobu bounced on her heels once before practically skipping back to the group still sitting on the layer of futons covering the floor. They’d set it up to sleep but it was also convent with protecting their battle sore bodies from the harshness of the ground.

Urokodaki stood, grabbing a bunch of blankets from the table full of gifts and throwing them on the futons before going over to Tomioka’s bed. He urged the younger into sitting up after shooing Muichiro to the rest of them, helping him stand before leading him over to them.

He was a little unsteady, clearly not used to the unequal weight distribution that his missing arm caused but he was adjusting quickly even half asleep. His legs were also still weak from the coma and lack of use but he managed with Urokodakis help.

Getting down safely was the hardest part as he didn’t quite have full fine motor control so they had to help, Tengen let him hold onto his hand as Urokodaki slowly released his weight letting him ease himself onto the futons and blankets. Once that was over it wasn’t difficult convincing him to lay down near the center so they could all huddle around him.

He looked so out of it when they got him fully settled in the blankets, blinking dazedly at them as they all checked him over themselves. It was obvious that he didn’t fully understand what was going on but didn’t really care that much thanks to the drowsiness. Some of them wondered if Tomioka realized they were all alive or if he thought he’d died and they were all in the afterlife.

The blankets looked like they were swallowing him whole with how many there were. His body mostly limp in the fluff, barely even shifting to readjust when the fabric moved from their weight.

Muichiro immediately cuddled up to his front again, gripping at the repaired half and half haori causing Tomioka to hum happily. The older's remaining arm came up to hold onto the younger protectively, eventually rubbing up and down at his back in what seemed to be a relaxing motion to both of them.

He’d barely focused on anything yet, still floating in his own head which Shinobu reassured was fine, that he was likely trying to get his bearings after so long unconscious. He didn’t seem to mind though, reacting rather positively to just about anything they did.

“You get this one alright? Don’t steal my fucking brother I will still fight you, missing arm or not.” Sanemi ruffled Tomioka’s hair, his tone lighter than usual without any of the bite he’d been holding onto even while Tomioka was still comatosed.

Tomioka leaned into the touch regardless, looking up at Sanemi in a way that reminded them of his familial status.

“You really are the youngest of your family huh?” Tengen rubbed at Tomioka’s arm, getting a quiet hum of agreement though he avoided looking at any of them. “Sore subject, I get it.”

“Ahhh, you’re so cute!” Mitsuri scooted closer, giving the older a smile. “You’ve always had the younger brother feeling around you. It reminds me of my siblings.” 

A blush had spread across Tomioka’s cheeks at this point, feeling a little embarrassed about all the attention and eyes on him now that he was more aware. He’d always been awkward under many eyes and that showed through hard as he scrambled for something to say or do if he even could.

“I do hope you don’t mind us doting on you a bit.” Kyojuro interrupted his thoughts, also moving closer to brushing his thumb on the others cheek. “I wouldn’t mind another sibling even if just in spirit!” He had begun getting louder as he continued speaking, beaming down at Tomioka when he finally looked over.

He conceded with a small nod after a few moments, unsure of which set of hands and eyes to give his attention to. They were all so casual with touch he didn’t really know how to act, it was also a bit overwhelming to have all this touch but in one of the best ways. They each had their own styles for physical affection that dictated how they interacted with him, some holding on while others rubbed or scratched lightly, it was addictive. 

It didn’t take long for Tomioka to slip back into a state of halfawareness, his head full of a pleasant fuzz that dampened some of the feelings making things easier to handle. A few of the others had grown concerned until reassured by Urokoraki that he does that sometimes when relaxing, his brain dropping into a softer more childlike state to ease him further.

“I’m going to find something for him to eat, don’t let him fall asleep.” Shinobu stood pulling away from Tomioka which caused him to whine. “I think you can handle salmon right now, would you like that Tomioka-san?”

He hummed happily in response, feet kicking a little in a sudden burst of energy brought on by his excitement. Shinobu was silently glad she’d remembered that was his favorite food and that it should be light enough for his stomach to handle without making him sick.

Urokodaki slipped though the crowd of former slayers to sit behind Tomioka’s head getting his attention before sliding carefully forward, the youngers head ended up pillowed on his mentor's lap in a way that made him make a little happy noise. There was something softer about him now like no longer needing to fight had taken the hard edges off of him and left them with this soft little mess of a man.

He leaned into any touch he was given, nearly falling asleep before Shinobu got back despite her instructions not to. Once the scent of salmon hit him however he was wide awake and struggling to sit up on his own. Urokodaki was quick to help him, scooting closer until his front was against Tomioka's back to brace him so he could sit up right but not have to put that much effort into it. Muichiro stayed glued to his front throughout the position change, he had to be pulled off by Gyomei so Tomioka could eat.

Tomioka was clearly hungry with the way he scarfed down the salmon, humming happily when he was handed a glass of water after. He had to be helped in using the chopsticks and keeping the glass steady as he didn’t have all his strength and had to figure out coordination with his non-dominant side but didn’t seem aware enough to mind.

“Still a big eater aren’t you.” Urokodaki teased, his voice still rough and low but endearing. The other giggled a little leaning back to put most of his weight on his mentor.

After a bit Tomioka made little noises that Urokodaki seemed to completely understand, able to determine what he wanted or was trying to communicate with no issue. He hummed and then stood picking Tomioka up easily as he did so, carrying the younger bridal style quickly heading for the door. The older man didn’t answer them as he left the room, returning a few minutes later with Tomioka gripped onto his front.

He carefully lowered Tomioka back down onto the pile then backed off so the others could crowd around him again. They talked and touched him until he was nearly back asleep having been cleared by Shinobu that he could without the risk of falling back into a coma.

He was in and out of consciousness for the rest of the day, sometimes more aware than others. One of these times he’d held onto Muichiro and cried out of relief until he ran out of energy letting the others comfort him without protest, most of the time though he was barely aware enough to speak humming contently when someone cuddled him and whining if not given enough attention.

Late in the afternoon Urokodaki left to check on the teens, promising Tomioka to be back the next day with them in tow. With him no longer in the room and how late it was they slowly began settling down for the night with Tomioka at the center. They all curled and cuddled up into a pile, touching each other in some way just to reassure themselves that the others were there, becoming a mound of breathing life that eased them all to sleep.

They’d have things to talk about and apologies to give when Tomioka was able to be conscious for more than half an hour but for now this is all he needs.