just like a blue gem shining

By: Aviantei

Part Two:

"Intersecting Thunderbolts"

It's late at night, and Kaigaku should be asleep, but he just can't manage it. Everything has seemed surreal after he woke up earlier in the timeline, but today has simply sealed the deal. It's not just him that's come back; it's all of them, a complete trio once more—except this time they all want the same things, they're all on the same side.

He can't help but have mixed feelings about the whole thing, though. Yes, it's nice to know he's not alone, but that also means it's not as clean of a slate as he thought it was. Rairi and Zenitsu just don't know about his past, but they also know about what he did before, in the previous loop, which means they've both seen all his mistakes. They've extended their forgiveness, are willing to start over, but the shadow of his previous actions seems much closer than before.

Kaigaku fucked up. He knows this. Even if it meant his death, he shouldn't have become a demon. Of course, he doesn't regret saving Kei, because he was responsible for her, but he still shouldn't have caved, should have tried to fight it more. At the very least, he'll do what he can not to fight Rairi and Zenitsu.

No, I don't just want that. I want to live with them. His life was cut off so quick the last time; he wants to relish it as long as he can, especially now that he knows that Rairi returns his feelings. God, there's so much I could do with them, holy shit—

There's a gentle knock on his door, cutting off his thoughts, which is pretty much for the best, now that he's thinking about it. Of course, if it's Rairi coming to visit, he might be in trouble. But that worry isn't necessary, seeing as when he pulls open his door, it's Zenitsu on the other side.

His kōhai's expression is serious, almost hard like it was back during the battle at Infinity Castle, and Kaigaku feels a shiver run down his spine that stops him from saying anything. "Aniki," Zenitsu says, not having abandoned the term even with the knowledge that they're from the same time. "I heard that you were awake, so I thought that we should talk."

Kaigaku nods, the motion stiff. It was difficult before, but it's even more so since this isn't some new Zenitsu, but instead the one he bullied nonstop during training and then tried to slaughter as a demon. He lets Zenitsu in, who gets himself a cushion from the corner of the room that Kaigaku's kept around for Rairi's occasional visits. Still not sure what to say, Kaigaku also gets himself a seat and glances to Zenitsu, trying to figure out what he's thinking.

"I have a lot to say," Zenitsu says, "so I just want you to listen for a while instead of talking back. I'll listen to you after, but I want to get all this out on the table now." Kaigaku nods again, and Zenitsu lets the silence stretch out a bit longer before continuing. "You know, last time, with everything you did, I kind of hated you."

Though it shouldn't be surprising, Kaigaku flinches. Zenitsu has every right to hate him; that shouldn't have changed just because they reset the timeline. Kaigaku still hurt him, still was awful, and a single little apology won't erase any of that. He wants to ask what he can do to change that, if he can change that, but Zenitsu told him to be quiet, so Kaigaku listens.

"I still looked up to you. Just like Rairi, you were strong, and you were better at Thunder Breathing than me. And while I didn't like it, I at least understood that whenever you were lashing out at me you were trying to run away from whatever you were afraid of. I felt similar sometimes, so I thought we were kind of the same, but still…

"But at the end, even though I knew how you felt, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was some awful mess. And since Rairi was so hurt by everything, I hated what you did. And I thought I got over it, but part of me whenever I realized you were here, too—I just feel so angry about everything!"

Kaigaku could defend himself, could tell the full story. Could explain how he did it to protect Kei, but also because he didn't want to die because of Rairi—except he died anyways, so it was all the same in the end—worse, to be honest, since they had to play a role in it anyways. And besides, he doesn't want to defend himself, because he doesn't deserve it. Do they understand that Urokodaki Shimizu died because of him, that he devoured her along with so many other people?

The thought of admitting such a thing to Rairi at all makes him sick, but Zenitsu is still talking, so Kaigaku forces himself to listen, even if he hates himself, too.

"I want to get over it. I want to move forward together, and not just for Rairi's sake. I always wanted us to all get along, to work together. And I'm still going to work towards that, because I appreciate the way you put in effort to treat me better even when you didn't know it was me, and because I still care about you, but I just want you to know it won't be easy and that you need to keep this up, because I won't accept if you go back to treating me like you did last time." Uncertain if it's okay for him to talk yet, Kaigaku nods. "Oh, and putting all that aside, as Rairi's husband…

"No matter how you treat me, if you hurt them anywhere like what you did last time, I won't forgive you."

It's there, that look on his face from back at Infinity Castle, from the day whenever Kaigaku told Zenitsu off about standing up to him and Zenitsu shouted back. There's a burning light in Zenitsu's eyes that blazes as bright as lightning itself, and Kaigaku understands that, as kind as Zenitsu is, hurting Rairi is the one thing that he refuses to compromise on.

Good thing that Kaigaku feels the exact same on that matter.

"If I end up hurting them as much as I did last time," Kaigaku says, and the phantom pain underneath his choker is burning, "I'd rather you take my head off again and get it over with." This whole time travel or whatever thing is enough of a second chance; if Kaigaku fucks up that much again, he'll more than deserve death all over again.

Zenitsu looks at him, those golden honey eyes starting to shine over with tears. He blinks them away, and then they're gone, but it doesn't change the fact that Kaigaku's words caused that. Even when I'm not even talking shit to him, I still manage to hurt him.

"Don't you dare let Rairi hear you say that," Zenitsu whispers, and Kaigaku can't help but wince at the idea. If Zenitsu tears up at the thought, who knows how Rairi would react. He'll have to keep a better check on that. "But don't you dare go into this with such a defeatist attitude, either. I know… I know you're better than what happened, that you can make Rairi happy. Just know that I'm serious about that because I want them to be happy, and since I married them, that's more important to me than anything."

The words aren't meant to be a boast, but Kaigaku can't help but feel that small pang of jealousy over the life Zenitsu got to have with Rairi. He was so consumed in himself before that he never thought that far, but knowing that Rairi shares his feelings…well, if marriage is even on the table considering everything, that's an opportunity he'd want to take. But he can't let his thoughts wander too far, because he has to earn that first.

For a moment, it looks like a smile flickers across Zenitsu's face, and Kaigaku wills himself not to blush. Just because he has a vague idea of what Kaigaku is feeling that doesn't mean he knows what he's thinking, and that's the saving grace of the situation. Clearing his throat, Kaigaku chooses to go ahead and change the topic as quick as possible. "About last time," he says, unable to look Zenitsu in the eyes, "I'm sorry."

Apologies are simple words, but Kaigaku could repeat the most formal version hundreds of times and it wouldn't ever feel like enough. But not saying it at all is just as bad, if not worse, so he wants to say it, for whatever it's worth, and that one little admission is enough to spend the words tumbling out of him.

"I'm sorry for treating you like shit when we were training. I'm sorry for ignoring you, for judging you because you reminded me too much of myself when I was younger, and I couldn't stand seeing that. I'm sorry for not answering your letters for the longest time. And I'm sorry that I became a demon and made Sensei…" Kaigaku swallows, willing himself not to cry. "I'm sorry I made you lose so much. And I'm…I'm grateful that you're willing to even give me a second chance at all."

Every word feels like a forced syllable, but they're genuine, and Kaigaku hopes that Zenitsu can at least understand that much. He should be able to, given his ability to hear, but there's still a chance, and that's what matters. Kaigaku looks up, but Zenitsu's ducked his head, too, and his shoulders are starting to shake.

"I…" Zenitsu says, and it's clear that he's on the verge of crying, too. "I'm glad we have this chance, too." And then he stands and shuffles to the door, making as hasty a retreat as he can without waking up the whole house. "I need some more time to think, so I'm going. I'll…see you in the morning, Aniki." And then he's gone, the door shut behind him, and Kaigaku falls backwards on the floor, not even bothering to move onto his futon.

"If you're going to pick whoever you want to call that, you could do better than me," he mutters.

But Kaigaku can't help but feel a little bit happy that that conversation didn't go as awful as it could have.

One little conversation, and Zenitsu feels exhausted—except despite the late hour, his mind is still spinning. Though he gained a lot of practical skills in his last lifetime, anxiety never all the way left him, and sometimes there are days and nights like this, where nothing falls silent and sleep feels far off. That's unfortunate, considering that there's training tomorrow and Jī-chan won't spare him, even if he's exhausted. Demons don't go easy on anyone, after all, so Jī-chan won't either. And while Zenitsu can push himself that far, he'd rather not unless it's necessary.

Finding out that he hasn't woken up here alone, that he doesn't need to worry about fixing the entire timeline on his own is a relief. Rairi and Shimizu had to go through that, and Zenitsu knew that pressure shaped them, albeit in different ways. If he had to take the whole burden on by himself to create a better future, he would have, but it's very nice to know that he has the others with him, that they all want to make a better outcome than last time.

This, all three of them working together—this is how it should have always been, a united front dedicated to becoming Sensei's successors, to becoming the best Slayers that they can.

And yet, he thinks, pacing in his bedroom and hoping that will be enough to wear him out so he can go to sleep, none of this is that easy. He worked hard to forgive Kaigaku, in time he let it go because living his whole life with that feeling festering in his heart wasn't worth it. And he's not going to argue with Kaigaku or yell at him for his mistakes, but—it's much harder than he anticipated to not demand answers, to not get a semblance of understanding.

(It doesn't matter that Zenitsu forgave him, not when he and Rairi could never understand why.)

Kaigaku never got to tell his full side of things, not even in the story that existed in Rairi's original world, and he deserves that opportunity.

Still feeling frustrated, Zenitsu gives it up for broke and grabs his practice sword. Training late at night was the norm even back then, and it's the best option he has to be productive without spiraling further. On the way out, though, he pauses, listening close to make sure that Rairi is sleeping alright, that they'll be okay if Zenitsu choses to go ahead and slip out to the orchard.

Except they're not asleep. Oh, Rairi's settled down into their futon, and their breathing is gentle and steady, but they haven't yet fallen asleep. For a moment, he thinks about slipping into their room, too, thinks about lying down with them like he's done for so many decades beforehand, but he can't convince himself to disturb them. Rairi has always been supportive, has always been at his side, and they'll more than happily listen to their worries. And while the idea of disturbing them is nonsense, because they've never minded whatsoever, he also wants to give them enough time to process.

They both lost, but Rairi went through a different type of loss than Zenitsu did.

Tomorrow, he thinks. We can talk about it tomorrow. And the promise of having another whole lifetime at Rairi's side makes him giddy all over again. His love for them only grew over time, and knowing that it's his Rairi here instead of a different version of them helps out. And creating a unit by sharing that relationship with Kaigaku—well, he wasn't all that opposed to the concept of a polycule before, even if he and Rairi never expanded their relationship like that last time. It will just involve some rearrangement of their dynamic, sure, but he's willing to do that if it makes them happy.

But if we wanna have that sort of future, we all need to survive.

The spring nighttime is cold, and Zenitsu grips onto his sword all the tighter. Knowing what comes next isn't a guarantee of fixing anything; the last time proved that enough. Rengoku still got hurt on the Mugen Train mission; many people died in the Hanamachi before they could stop Daki and Gyūtarō; Upper Moon demons still attacked the Swordsmiths' village; Kaigaku still became a demon; Kanroji, Iguro, and Shinobu still died. There is no such thing a perfect outcome, not in this world, but—

But there could be a better outcome for them all.

If all three of them are going to survive, Zenitsu needs to have as much strength and skill as possible. He doesn't want to end up being the weak link that ruins everything—not that anyone ever said such a thing, but the possibility is there. Best to nip the problem in the bud by getting back on par with his skill in Thunder Breathing, first executing the Shinsoku, then reforming the Seventh Form.

So he practices and practices and practices, until he can't even breathe from the strain of it, and he makes it back into his room and flops onto the futon, wiping out from exhaustion.

At least his dreams give him some semblance of a break, but that's about all he's got.

Rairi is not a dumbass—at least sometimes. When it comes to their own feelings, that shit gets messy, but they got better over the years! Besides, this isn't about them; it's about their boyfriends/kōhai, and Rairi is a master of understanding those little shits from glances alone.

They're both tired, Kaigaku and Zenitsu. That's not all that unusual, for any of them, as it is. Last round was…rough, to say the least, and those scars still linger. A sleepless night is the least of their worries.

But this isn't just about a sleepless night, now is it?

It's the way that Zenitsu and Kaigaku move, the way their eyes flick to each other on occasion. It's nowhere near as intense as how they used to be with each other—unable to have a conversation that didn't involve Kaigaku yelling and/or Zenitsu crying—but there's an awkwardness there that's somehow worse since they all realized they're working with the same sets of memories than the past month or so when they were living in ignorance.

Which, yeah, makes a lot of sense. Considering the, you know. The everything.

It's incredible to have the chance to do things over again; there's no doubt about that. Rairi's still in disbelief about it, even if it's not the strangest thing they've ever experienced. But as happy as they are, they can't blame Zenitsu and Kaigaku for being a bit more awkward around each other.

Rairi and Kaigaku came to understand each other better later on, and Rairi and Zenitsu's own relationship is obvious. But for Zenitsu and Kaigaku?

They pretty much fought from the moment they met to the day Kaigaku died, save for a short period of time exchanging letters. Zenitsu and Rairi both alike had nightmares for years after Infinity Castle—not that that was any sort of surprise in Rairi's case, since nightmares were and still are frequent, but that's so not the point right now.

Maybe I can sneak in chatting with them before training—

"Child."

Aaand there goes that plan. Setting their chopsticks over their empty bowl of rice from breakfast, Rairi glances up to Sensei, who is staring at them with a serious expression. Zenitsu and Kaigaku both give Rairi pitying looks before vacating the room with an excuse of getting to washing the dishes, as is their duty. Rairi can't blame them, either. It's never a good thing to get called out by Sensei so early in the morning.

But, since Sensei's around in the first place, it's well worth whatever lecture that's coming—and, oh, is there a lecture coming, Rairi realizes as Sensei pulls out a scroll of paper.

A scroll that Rairi knows has their brushwork all over it.

"Care to explain?" Sensei askes, knowing damn well that the best thing to do is give Rairi a chance to run their mouth and watch them self-destruct.

"Everything you've told me about the Demon Slayer Corps seems to have some flaws." That and Rairi lived through that shit, and it was all awful. Ain't no way they're waiting until the same point in the timeline to point that all out. "Final Selection in particular seems to be wasting potential Slayers for the sake of a test."

How many hundreds upon hundreds of corpses exist on Fujikasane-yama because of what's supposed to be an exam? Yeah, fuck all that over and over, as many timelines as it takes.

Sensei sighs. "I did read it, you know," he says. Since that's the case, Rairi's impressed they're not in the middle of a lecture right now. "It's not just Final Selection you have problems with. It's the missions systems, the post-recruitment training, the Hashira's involvement in those systems." Rairi doesn't bother to look ashamed, because they're not. "I'm not disagreeing with your points. Your suggestions are for a much different Corps than the one I was on the front lines in, but I'm not saying they're bad."

Hearing that approval feels far too satisfying. "Then what's the issue, Sensei?" Perhaps if they can feign innocent little student a bit longer…

The sound of Sensei's snort means that no, they can't. "Care to explain why you handed this to me instead of just sending it off to Headquarters?" Sensei does send the Corps regular updates on his students through a Kasugai crow stopping by at least once a month. It wouldn't be hard to just ship the whole thing off, and Rairi did think about it, but… "It's not like you to act so timid, Child."

"I'm not being timid. This is strategy!" Rairi had hoped Sensei would understand right out the gate. Then again, maybe he does, and he's just making them say it. The prospect just makes Rairi pout more. "I may be your student, Sensei, but that doesn't mean much whenever I haven't even passed Final Selection myself." Or not in any way that the people in this round know about. Playing the respect card, Rairi shifts so their breakfast isn't in the way and dips their head down to the tatami in a dogeza. "If you think the systems are reasonable, Sensei, I'd like you to please propose them to Oyakata-sama using your clout as a former Hashira."

Rairi isn't yet in a state to play on that field.

Sensei is another matter altogether.

Sensei is also exasperated by the looks of him, rubbing his forehead all the way. "I suspected that's what you wanted, but still…" He lets out a long sigh—but it's the affectionate one, now isn't it? "If I thought they didn't have any merit, I wouldn't have bothered speaking to you like this. Further, the current Oyakata-sama is a reasonable man. I'm sure he'll work to incorporate at least some of your ideas so long as I give them my endorsement. That said, I'm not about to just take the credit for your ideas. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Yes, Rairi understands. Rairi understands that Sensei will promote them, but he'll still make sure Oyakata-sama knows who's responsible. Rairi understands that there will be—just like last time—people who will not like getting told they're at fault for how many potential Corps members who died. Rairi understands that—unlike last time—they won't have the friendship of Rengoku and Mitsuri on their side to help smooth out the edges, that a trainee who hasn't even passed final selection making demands is going to be asking for trouble.

"I wouldn't have given you that if I wasn't ready to fight for my ideas, Sensei," they say, offering a smile.

And, like before, Sensei answers with another sigh. "I was afraid you'd say that." He does promise to send the scroll off to Headquarters, though.

Besides, if people aren't going to like that some nobody is stirring up shit, Rairi will just need to become a Hashira to shut them all up.

With that conversation taking up the morning and training taking up the day, it's not until evening that Rairi can remember what was on their mind that morning: the awkward atmosphere lingering over their kōhai. It hasn't gone away in the past several hours, but Rairi recognizes the way that Kaigaku sinks in on himself in distant thought, the jumpy flutter of Zenitsu's fingers that almost make it seem like he's playing an air koto but give away that he's rolling over an idea in his mind and not letting go.

While married, Zenitsu would always be Rairi's immediate priority, and they're not setting him aside. It's just that, while everyone can fall back into negative habits, Zenitsu has decades of experience of coping strategies behind him.

Kaigaku?

Not so much.

Making Rairi's job easier if not their worry, their kōhai have chosen to take separate baths that night, which makes it easier to snatch Kaigaku once he steps out. Rairi managed to grab some mochi in their most recent run into town, and they dig the package out of their drawers, offering Kaigaku one before taking a snack for themself.

"You do know Zenitsu's going to whine that you gave me one of these and not him, right?"

"I'll be sure to give him one, too." If troubleshooting through Kaigaku goes south, Rairi's next plan is to check-in with Zenitsu anyways. Kaigaku grunts and eats half the mochi in one bite, though he has to chew for a while as a result. "It's nice. Seeing you care about him." Kaigaku's cheeks dust the slightest shade of pink, but Rairi tapers down their impulse to gush about it. They can have a serious conversation if they try, dammit! "Do you want to talk about what happened between you two?"

Kaigaku doesn't bother to ask how they noticed, and that's not just because his mouth is full. Taking a smaller bite, Rairi enjoys their own mochi, giving him the space he needs to collect his thoughts.

"I mean, he told me off, for starters. It's not like it's anything I don't deserve, though." Rairi's mouth opens in protest, but Kaigaku gets his words out first. "Rairi-senpai. We all know I fucked up the most. I don't want to do that again, but that doesn't mean I don't deserve consequences. Fuck, I don't know how you can still care about me—"

"Kaigaku!" Rairi can't help but cut in, not whenever Kaigaku's talking down on himself. It's such a deep contrast from how he was before—all brash arrogance—and even when he started to grow softer. It's sure as hell in direct opposition to how he was as a demon, all his worst qualities on display with his demon nature intensifying them further. Kaigaku's face is scrunched up into a shape Rairi's never seen before, but they know it breaks their heart. "Kaigaku. You are more than your bad choices. I'm not going to act like you didn't make mistakes. But I know you're better than that, and that's why there's more to you." They reach out, giving Kaigaku's hands a gentle squeeze, and he squeezes back. "If you're worried about things, I need you to not make assumptions and tell me."

Tell me what happened before.

They always wanted to understand. No matter how many pieces they assembled around it, there were things they just couldn't know. And while, in the end, what matters more this round is how they'll go forward so things don't go the same way, it's still important to acknowledge what came before.

"I…" A thick swallow chases down Kaigaku's throat. He makes a point of staring at his lap rather than looking Rairi in the eyes, but they don't force the issue. What's far more important is that he can unload the things on his mind, the stresses he had no opportunity to process before he died and has since shouldered alone. "I killed people, Rairi-senpai. I ate so many. Just to get stronger. I would've killed you and Zenitsu, too, if you didn't stop me." Just how can those memories feel now that he's back in human form again, reset as if it never happened? Rairi can't even begin to imagine. And then, another confession in a whisper: "I ate Urokodaki, too. I caught her, and dragged her to Kibutsuji to win his favor, and when she killed herself so he couldn't turn her into a demon, too, I ate her." The words hit like a blow—or at least like half of one. So, so long ago, decades past in Rairi's memory, Kei told them what happened, that she asked Shimizu to help Kaigaku who'd gone missing after facing the Upper Moon One. "I just—I fucking hated her so much, because you cared about her in a way I didn't think you cared about me, so I would've done anything so long as she was gone. I'm a fucking awful person, Rairi-senpai, and I don't deserve this second chance at all!"

"Kaigaku."

Unlike before, it's not a shout. It's just a call of his name, a way to remind him that Rairi is there, and they are not judging him. Maybe if they were still off the aftermath of everything it would be different, but Rairi had so much time to process, to move on. Part of them had always held faith in Shimizu's notes that they'd be reincarnated and have the chance to meet again—but this is even more than that, a complete reset, and they aren't going to waste it, no matter what.

"Kaigaku," they say again, and this time he looks at them, the fear in the undirtied turquoise of his eyes palpable. "Kaigaku, we're here now. I won't tell you not to worry about what happened before, because that won't help. You're allowed to worry. But what matters most is what you're going to do from here. I don't think you want to do the same thing as before, right?"

"I'd rather fucking—" He stops, takes a deep breath before continuing, "I'd do anything to prevent that." He squeezes Rairi's hands again, but his grip is tight, that of a well-trained swordsman, and their fingers prickle with numbness in an instant. "I—I want to live with you, Rairi-senpai. I promise I do. But I'm scared of making the same mistakes again. It's because…because you wanted me to stay alive that I…"

That I became a demon.

Rairi understands the words without Kaigaku saying them, and the last pieces click into place. It's not a happy truth—not when it implies that Rairi opening their big mouth is why he took the Upper Moon One's offer—but with Canon as a comparison, it's not like they could be the only reason. It's still some sense of closure, a piece of information that they could never find no matter how hard they tried. It's hard to find the right thing to say, so Rairi does what they do best:

Speak without thinking to break the silence.

"I'm glad you're alive," they say, and Kaigaku stares at them wide-eyed. "All of that—we can work through it. If you want to, we can move past all that. I just…I want to live with you both as long as possible." Whether or not Shimizu has also looped with them is another matter—but damn if Rairi won't do everything to see her again, too, if they can. And even if she's not in a loop with them, Rairi will ensure Shimizu knows she's not alone in being able to change the future, that there's a different path waiting for them at the end. Rairi smiles. "If we all want the same thing, I know there's nothing the three of us can't do together."

They are all the students of Kuwajima Jigorō, after all.

Kaigaku stares, and Rairi lets the words sink in, hopes that he believes it. He's still conflicted, that crinkle in his nose still there, but there's that softer piece of him present that Rairi fell in love with in the first place. "Rairi-sen—"

"Aniki!"

The door to the bedroom flings open, Zenitsu gasping on the other side of it. Or, at least, he is for all of the two seconds he's there before throwing himself across the room and onto Kaigaku, tears already streaming down his face. There's no way any of them are getting out of the night without snot all over their clothes, Rairi knows.

"Aniki, I didn't say any of what I said to make you feel like a bad person. I'm sorry, too! I'm sorry I didn't try sooner to reach out to you before. And what Rairi said was right—we can all do it together."

Kaigaku flounders, looking to Rairi for help. They just give him a smile; if they're doing this as a team, he's going to have to learn to deal with Zenitsu by himself sooner or later. Looking beyond awkward, Kaigaku pats Zenitsu's head. "I hear you, dammit. You don't have to cry about it." Rairi giggles as Zenitsu lets out another sob, but at least he's smiling. Kaigaku glances between the two of them, then sighs. "If we're doing this, I'm going to give it my best shot. I don't…" He takes a beat, and Rairi and Zenitsu wait, both watching their third. "I don't want to ever give in to a fear like that again. I want to be strong for you both."

Rairi reaches out, takes Kaigaku's hands again. Zenitsu (after a quick detour to wipe his nose on his sleeve) joins in, enclosing their hands in his as well. With that warmth, Rairi's reassured once more, that this time things will be different.

"Alright!" Zenitsu shouts, and he's as loud as ever. "If you're going forward with that attitude, Aniki, I'll believe in you, okay? So hold your head up high."

"And whenever you can't and you need to slow down," Rairi says, "we'll be here to help you keep going."

Kaigaku releases an audible sniffle, and it's not long before he's hiding his face behind his free arm. "Alright," he says, his voice heavy. "Alright. I'll make sure I'm worthy of the forgiveness you've given me."

"Oh, Kaigaku. You already are." Rairi leans forward, dropping a kiss onto his forehead, then makes sure to give Zenitsu one as well. Rairi and Zenitsu were able to make it far by walking at each other's sides, after all. "Now how about we take some time, cry as much as we need to, and enjoy the rest of the mochi together?"

How much farther will they go when there's three of them?

Rairi can't wait to find out.

[Author's Notes]

I lied! I finished some blue gem pieces first, so we'll have a couple more of these before I get into the night streets collection.

Thanks to JustBr1an298, marklagos1978, BethxAngel, Kavetown, ToonyTwilight, patamon642, ApolloGeek27, and TheHumbleDogge for the comments, faves, and follows! You're all cool and make my day that you love the walk steady stories.

As you can see here, this is close to the end of the month, but I've been busy and my mind has been all over the place. Also Punk Trash Noiz is back doing a beta for me, and they've also been super fucking busy. Aggressive thanks to them for finding the time to beta for me despite everything they've been up to, including the much longer chapters of you could have my heart (and i would break it for you). What a fucking champ.

Anyways! Some actual talking and reconciliation. I'm not gonna make it, like, the entire fic, but these three have a lot of shit to process, so we gotta acknowledge it. Also I've been poking at some later bits, and damn are events already diverging from my expectations, but like in a fun way? I hope you're looking forward to exploring this with me.

February is also Rairi's birthday month, so happy last second birthday update for them! Tangentially related - I went and saw the Hashira Training theater premiere, and had a good time. I'm simultaneously ready and yet not ready for what I think we're gonna cover this season.

I do have a shorter, smaller piece for blue gem ready to go already, so that'll go live at some point in March. Please look forward to it!

-Avi

[29 February 2024]