The most beautiful words of love are told in silence for a look.
He had always thought he wouldn't need anybody.
Given how he solely focuses on the blades he crafts.
Yet, the moment he delivered the blade to the new Hashira,
He couldn't help but fe...
He ran as fast as he could, how he heard the moment the crows announced the defeat of the demon lord. His heart pounded hard against his chest as he hoped for the best, where he followed the crows.
With Kimiko, Senjuro and Yuichiro in toll as continued to run as if they were running for their lives. Hotaru noticed how Kimiko was falling behind together with the others, and he easily picked the three of them up, running at full speed.
"MOST OF THE HASHIRAS HAVE PASSED OUT! QUICKLY! STOP THEIR BLEEDING!" Goto yelled out, giving instructions as he attended to Zenitsu who was whining nonstop.
[name] on the other hand was leaning against the stone wall, trying her best to keep herself afloat as she could somehow see her vision darkening from time to time. She pressed her lips into a fine thin line then.
Breathing in and out slowly and as calmly as she could.
She looked at most of the lower-ranked demon slayers were cheering and crying, how the Hashiras were all resting as much as they could and [name] could only smile gently as she parted her lips.
"My job... As a Hashira has finally come to an end," she softly whispered out, for a good fraction of her life was dedicated to being a demon slayer along as a Hashira, and [name] could only smile then as she looked at the sun that was still rising.
The desire to cry right now as strong as she looked down at the nichirin blade that what remained was just the handle. How she could only wonder what Hotaru would think about the nichirin blade then.
"You know, it's okay to cry, Hakuryuu-san!" the voices of the Hashiras were heard and [name] looked up. She laughed a little then as she cried as the Hashiras soon came in and gave her a warm hug, complimenting her for the effort she had put in for those years of being in the demon slayer corps.
"I'm sorry... I'm... Just... Very tired now..." she whispered out as her pale purple eyes started to close and the Hashiras who were still conscious started to panic then.
"Hakuryuu-san!" they yelled out, only to watch as her body slumped against the stone wall, no longer moving as her lips remained in a smile then.
"[name]...?" and the Hashiras turned as they watched as Hotaru was staring in horror at how [name] was no longer moving. His lips were parted as his eyes trembled while he lets go of the trio he had carried, who ran to their respective brothers.
Except for Kimiko, who immediately ran to where [name] was.
"Mama...?" she softly whispered out.
But [name] didn't answer.
♛
He wasn't sure what went wrong as he looked at the estate he was residing in now, belonging to the former Dragon Hashira. How he could only watch as it was crowded and bustling, with what seems to be his 'children'.
"Welcome home, papa!" and he smiled gently at Kimiko who had run up to greet him. He couldn't help but ruffle her hair slightly and planted a kiss on the top of her head while she ran back to where the crowd was.
"Ah, welcome home, Haganezuka-san!" Kanae called out and Hotaru nodded his head as he looked at the former Hashiras who were present in the estate. How each of them survived and were busy laying about in the room.
They watched as he proceeded to walk away from where they were, and soon scurried onto their feet where they followed him quietly. He had on a frown as he turned to look, noticing how they were trying their best to hide.
He slid the door opened and his eyes laid upon her once more, how she was sitting up on the futon and he walked closer to her. He settled down next to her then, where she turned to look at him, and she smiled gently in response.
Yet, he couldn't help but shed a few tears then where she reached out with ease and gently caressed his cheeks, where she used her thumb and wiped away the tears.
The price she had to pay to stay alive, was losing her sight. How she could only continue to have that gentle smile on her face despite the fact she couldn't see anymore.
"Oh, mama is awake!" Kimiko called out, and as if on cue did every Hashira present rushed into the room with ease, and she could only laugh softly then as she reached out, trying to find them.
"Hey... Where are you guys...?" [name] whispered out softly as she tried to find the Hashiras, only to have a slight pout on her face as she felt Hotaru grabbing hold of her hands instead.
"They are being mean to me... They left me alone," [name] mumbled out and she couldn't help but smile as Hotaru sat closer to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her in for a tighter hug then.
"You know... Hotaru-kun... Till now we haven't said a single 'I love you' to one another," [name] added on and Hotaru hummed in response, reaching out as he opened her hand then and started to use his finger to write on her palm.
"I... Love... You..." she softly whispered out what he had written, and she couldn't help but smile as her cheeks were slightly red then, and she could feel his breath against the side of her neck then as he spoke.
"I love you, [name]," he whispered out, and [name] could only slowly nod her head then as she felt his lips against hers.
"I love you too, Hotaru..." she whispered out.
"SO, WE CAN CALL YOU PAPA AND MAMA NOW?!" Tengen's voice boomed through the estate, causing the older couple to flinch upon the sudden slamming of the doors opened, and Hotaru turned to look, and he couldn't help but pale slightly at what was going on.
How every Hashira was present with a wide smile on their face. How Kimiko was tugging Yuichiro, Senjuro and Genya along as well who stood next to Sanemi who had his arm slung over his shoulder.
How Makomo and Sabito urged Giyuu to smile more as they stood before the couple, and how Kanae and Shinobu stood on either side of Himejima with Kyojuro standing before them along with Mitsuri and Obanai.
And with ease did Muichiro run towards where [name] was, and engulfed her in a tight hug.
"Mama!" he called out, and [name] couldn't help but let her lips trembled then and Hotaru could only chuckle as he watched her in silence. Knowing well what she was feeling as he planted a kiss on the side of her head.
1. Some hearts understand each other, even in silence.
2. Despite having no words of affirmation, the duo knew all too well that they loved each other in their own ways. Thus, their way of loving was in silence, where actions speak louder than words.
