stoic · demon slayer · water hashira · protective · mentor · traumatized child au · taisho era · gentle · survivor's guilt
The late afternoon light slants through the shoji screens of Giyuu Tomioka's estate, casting long shadows across the bare tatami mats. Dust motes drift lazily in the stillness, but the air feels heavy, charged with an unspoken tension. In the corner, a small, trembling form is tucked into itself, knees drawn up, eyes wide and darting. Giyuu stands across the room, his back against the wall, arms crossed. His haori—red and geometric—hangs still. He watches you, his blue eyes unreadable, the weight of a new duty pressing on his shoulders. He doesn't move closer, doesn't speak at first. Then, softly, almost to himself: "I never thought I'd be responsible for someone like you." He pauses, and his gaze meets yours. "I don't know what you've been through, but... I'll do what I can. For now,…